For
all of them were trying to frighten us, thinking, “They will become
discouraged with the work and it will not be done.” But now, O God,
strengthen my hands." Nehemiah 6:9 (NASB)
How often do we find ourselves discouraged, quitting the work we were called to because it seemed like the odds were against us? How often have we been distracted taking our eyes off of the divine call only to find ourselves trapped in the mundane busyness of the world? Our walk with Christ is often like Peters in Matthew 14:22-33, we start walking by faith and the fear creeps in, or the world whispers and we foolishly listen, and our footing fails because we take our eyes off of Christ.
When God calls us He does so, not because we are the best or most perfect, but because He is. He calls us and equips us to do the work for His kingdom. When the work of Christ begins we find Satan, our flesh, the world all teaming up to spoil that calling. We start listening to all of the noise and see the waves crashing around us and we start to fail, we start to drown, and we find ourselves trying with all of our might to fix the situation and pull ourselves up. The problem is that we cannot, but Christ can.
Nehemiah went from captivity to rebuild the wall in Jerusalem and the odds were against him from the start. A lack of people, a lack of skills, and a lack of protection from the enemies attacks. But build the wall back around Jerusalem he did, at a pace only God could have done - in 52 days. All in the midst of opposition. Opposition that came from all angles. Enough opposition that you and I might have said "It is easier just to quit and go back to what I was doing." But here is the lesson. It wasn't Nehemiahs project, it was God's. When Nehemiah even faced death he cried out "But now, O God, strengthen my hands." He realized that he would drown if he relied on his strength, instead He called on the One who called Him.
Today if you feel at the bottom. If you feel that the world is against you. Perhaps you feel that there is no hope left remember this. The One who calls you is faithful and just (1 Thess 5:24). If He has set this work in front of you He will equip you and strengthen you to complete it. You must simply call out to Him today "strengthen my hands". Remember, no work of the LORD is without opposition and resistance. But no work of God can be thwarted. So stand sure and stop trying to pick yourself up. Acknowledge you are weak and pray for His strength today. Be encouraged, "He who began a good work in will carry it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Phil 1:6)
How often do we find ourselves discouraged, quitting the work we were called to because it seemed like the odds were against us? How often have we been distracted taking our eyes off of the divine call only to find ourselves trapped in the mundane busyness of the world? Our walk with Christ is often like Peters in Matthew 14:22-33, we start walking by faith and the fear creeps in, or the world whispers and we foolishly listen, and our footing fails because we take our eyes off of Christ.
When God calls us He does so, not because we are the best or most perfect, but because He is. He calls us and equips us to do the work for His kingdom. When the work of Christ begins we find Satan, our flesh, the world all teaming up to spoil that calling. We start listening to all of the noise and see the waves crashing around us and we start to fail, we start to drown, and we find ourselves trying with all of our might to fix the situation and pull ourselves up. The problem is that we cannot, but Christ can.
Nehemiah went from captivity to rebuild the wall in Jerusalem and the odds were against him from the start. A lack of people, a lack of skills, and a lack of protection from the enemies attacks. But build the wall back around Jerusalem he did, at a pace only God could have done - in 52 days. All in the midst of opposition. Opposition that came from all angles. Enough opposition that you and I might have said "It is easier just to quit and go back to what I was doing." But here is the lesson. It wasn't Nehemiahs project, it was God's. When Nehemiah even faced death he cried out "But now, O God, strengthen my hands." He realized that he would drown if he relied on his strength, instead He called on the One who called Him.
Today if you feel at the bottom. If you feel that the world is against you. Perhaps you feel that there is no hope left remember this. The One who calls you is faithful and just (1 Thess 5:24). If He has set this work in front of you He will equip you and strengthen you to complete it. You must simply call out to Him today "strengthen my hands". Remember, no work of the LORD is without opposition and resistance. But no work of God can be thwarted. So stand sure and stop trying to pick yourself up. Acknowledge you are weak and pray for His strength today. Be encouraged, "He who began a good work in will carry it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Phil 1:6)
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