...Hanani, one of my brothers, and some men from Judah came; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped and had survived the captivity, and about Jerusalem. They said to me, "The remnant there in the province who survived the captivity are in great distress and reproach, and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates are burned with fire." Nehemiah 1:2-3
Receiving Bad News
From the Book of Nehemiah we can learn many lessons about how God uses men to turn burdens into blessings. The opening verses of this book share the sorrowful news of the destruction of Jerusalem and the reproach this brought upon the people of God. There is great emotion in the words of those who report about the distress of people they love. As Nehemiah listens to them and the preachers tell of this, his heart is deeply touched. The rest of the book is the story of how one man let God use him to turn his burden into a blessing.
The story of Nehemiah and his call from God to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem is a testimony of one man’s openness to follow God. The will of God is much easier to know than to do. This, however, does not lessen, but increases the responsibility, to perform what we know God desires. Probably the greatest joy of Satan is to keep a man from obeying the direct voice of God. He knows that when we hear a direct command of God we still have to act upon it to implement God’s plan. Failure to hear a word from God is seldom the problem; it is failure to perform that leads to DEFEAT!
When God chooses someone for a task, He usually won’t let that person rest until the specific work is done. He has promised to work out His plan in our lives and to bring us into the image of His Son and fulfill His purpose in us. (For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6)
It is true that God gives special tasks to special men at special times. All through the Old and New Testaments we read of His work in the lives of individuals to bring His kingdom purpose to completion. It is no different today. God is calling and using men and women.
This week, we will look at the life and work of Nehemiah and gain insights into what it takes to turn vision into victory. These same qualities can help us find victory in our own lives over burdens we experience.
To seek God's will is man's greatest quest.
To know God's will is men's greatest thought.
To do God's will is man’s greatest task
To know God's will is men's greatest thought.
To do God's will is man’s greatest task
Scripture to Claim:
...so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. Colossians 1:10-12
