Sunday, November 8, 1998 This Week's Lesson:
In this week's lesson, which came from Nehemiah 2:12, 15-20, 3:1-2, and 22-23, we learned about the importance of making a good start at each God-given task. As Christians, we should be busy doing the work that the Lord would have us do. As responsible individuals, we should also be trying to do that work in the best, most efficient manner. In Nehemiah 2:12 and 15-16, this man of God wanted to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem. He thought that the broken down walls were a reproach against Israel. However, before he could begin the work, he had to first assess the job by analyzing the amount of damage. He went out at night with some of his close confidantes and examined each part of the wall. Walls offer us protection from our enemies, and occasionally, we need to examine the spiritual walls of our own life and repair any damage. When our walls have been damaged by some of the circumstances of life, we need to ask the Lord to make us into the person that He would have us be.
After Nehemiah had determined the amount of effort that would be required, he began looking for workers who could and would help. Christian leaders need to be committed, thorough, and organized. Because Nehemiah was all three, many people joined with him to get the work done. He thought the torn down walls were a disgrace to Jerusalem. In like manner, when our walls are broken down, it can often mean disgrace for us, too. When our walls are down, we leave ourselves open for an attack from our adversary. Therefore, we should always be careful. We should surround ourselves with the things of God and try to keep from ourselves those things that would carry us away from Him and bring us down. When Nehemiah spoke to his potential workers, he tried to assure them that he had the blessings of the Lord and also the king so that they would feel safe and secure. When involved in the Lord's work, we can also rest in the same confidence of His safe, secure arms. He will always keep us in whatever situation He places us. Because the people in Nehemiah's time had confidence in God and in him, they committed themselves to the task at hand.
In Nehemiah 2:19-20, 3:1-2, and 22-23, Nehemiah wrote about some of the opposition and criticism that he received. When God is in something, it will always come to pass. At the same time, though, people serving the Lord will almost always encounter opposition. In Nehemiah's time, that opposition came from Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem. These men mocked and ridiculed the workers. Therefore, Nehemiah kept a careful record of those who had helped and also of those who had hindered the work. He told his critics that God would bless the work. Then, he disassociated himself from those who were against him. In our own Christian walk, we will have times when God leads us to do something. We will also have times when our adversary, the devil, will try to devour and bring us down. As best as possible, we should always remember Proverbs 24:10 which says, "If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small." In the coming week, may we keep our spiritual ears open, stay in tune with the leadership of the Holy Spirit, and confidently, patiently, and bravely do the work that has been set aside for us.
Tom of Spotswood"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
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