Nehemiah 6
Scripture
Nehemiah 6:9
“They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us and stop the work. So I continued the work with even greater determination.”
Observation-What does it say?
Nehemiah was given a great task by God. He was to rebuild the wall that once protected Jerusalem from it's enemies. Now right as Nehemiah was just about to finish, Sanballat and Geshem, would send out an invitation to Nehemiah. They wanted to meet with him. But Nehemiah knew they were just trying to pull him away from completing God's work, and that they wanted to do him harm. So he refused to meet with them, telling them that he was doing a great work, and the work would cease if he were to meet with them (vs. 3). This back and forth went on four more times, ending with the same result. Then the fifth time Sanballat and Geshem tried to spread rumors about Nehemiah. The rumors stated that Nehemiah and the Israelites were planning to rebel, and Nehemiah was only rebuilding the wall to become their king. But Nehemiah knew these rumors to be false. He stood his ground, followed his higher calling from God, trusted that God would decimate such rumors for him in order for this task to be completed. Then when the wall was rebuilt, all of the Israelites' enemies were disheartened, because they knew this work was done by God (vs. 15).
Understanding-What does it mean?
God's people are often tempted or distracted to leave God's work unfinished. But we must stay the course, trust God, and see what He can do. When it is all said and done, God will be glorified.
Nehemiah was a man on a mission...a mission from God. He did not let the constant nagging of "peers" to stray him from his calling. He did not even let nasty rumors that were spread about him sway him from completing the task at hand. He could have easily fell down the path and off track by using his time and energy to "put out the fire" of meeting with Sanballat and Geshem regarding these false rumors about him. Instead, Nehemiah trusted God. He followed through on God's agenda above his own. In the end, his enemies were disheartened and were handed defeat. God's will was accomplished and His name was glorified because of it.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”-Romans 8:28
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”-Hebrews 12:1 NLT
Life Application
Nothing in this world can give us a better sense of accomplishment and peace than fulfilling God's calling for our lives..
When I finally get to meet God face to face, and He holds me accountable for all the things He has called me to do while I was still on Earth, I would hate for my report card to read like it did for me when I was in junior college- (Lots of Incompletes and Withdrawals). Instead, how awesome would it be to be able to please my God, my Lord and Savior, and my Master. Imagine if God would reply, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."-(Matthew 25:23a NLT). How satisfying would that be?
All I know is when I leave this earth, I only hope and pray that I was able to do my best with what God has given me.