Day 22
…But
now, O God, strengthen my hands.
Nehemiah
6:9
There
have been many projects that were started with great passion and zeal. Those individuals involved
had great expectations of what the future might hold. In the beginning,
optimism prevailed. But, what happens when the first set back comes? What
happens when the excitement wears off? How are we to respond when exhaustion
replaces optimism?
Nehemiah
and his team have nearly completed the wall. For the better part of a month and
a half, they have worked, problem solved, provided security, and dealt with a tremendous
number of frustrations. However, as they near the end, some of the most serious
accusations yet are levied at them. Nehemiah is told that there is a rumor that
he intends to install himself as king over Judah (6:7).
It
would have been easy for Nehemiah to grow distracted and feel that he needed to
defend himself. He easily could have said, “Look, we are almost done. Let me go
deal with this issue and I will be back.” It would have been logical for him to
come down off the wall and argue his case, but he does not. He simply prays and
asks God to “strengthen [his] hand.” He did not want to give up at the end. He
did not want to fail. He wanted to finish strong.
It
is amazing how often the highs and lows, discouragements and frustrations, and
the successes and set-backs of Nehemiah parallel what life today can look like. How
many times have we been called by God to do something and in the end we have to
fight frustration, exhaustion, and difficulties that are not of our own making?
How many great endeavors have been abandoned because the repeated challenges
became to much? Remember, the same God who called you will strengthen you. What
was birthed in prayer will find its completion in prayer.
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