Monday Musings 04.30.18

This Sunday, we wrapped up our Study of Nehemiah. It was interesting to journey with Nehemiah from his initial call all the way through to the completion of his task. Along the way, we saw Nehemiah deal with all sorts of difficulties and challenges. We also saw Nehemiah return again and again to prayer. The result of his close relationship with the Lord is that he was able to lead with incredible insight and wisdom. There are several questions that kept probing my heart as we walked through this book:

Am I committed to prayer the way that Nehemiah was? Do I believe that the greatest wisdom will come from being on my knees, not from a book or from some individual? Do I have faith that God will lead me through my appointed tasks as He did Nehemiah?

Would I be able to press forward in spite of a number of challenges? Would I be able to overcome struggle after struggle the way Nehemiah did? Would I be able to operate with dignity and wisdom the way Nehemiah did, even in the face of some very dangerous threats?

What is my “wall”? What is it that God is calling me to do? Have I made myself available the way Nehemiah did? Am I in place that God could do in me and through me what He did in the life of Nehemiah? And, if I knew what my “wall” was to be, would have I have the resilience that Nehemiah displayed?

I hope that you have taken the lessons learned in the book of Nehemiah to heart. I hope that you have asked the questions of application. Through prayer and consideration, the Holy Spirit will reveal to us how we are to apply the truths that we have learned. It will be exciting in the days ahead to see how God moves and works in our lives.

Honored to be your pastor,

Darrell

Fifty-Two Days in Nehemiah (Day 52)

Day 52

So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month of Elul, in fifty-two days.

Nehemiah 6:15

If you have made it to this point, you have done something exciting. You have spent over a month and a half investing in your spiritual wellbeing. This is the greatest of all investments that we can make. However, it takes time. Growing spiritually is no different than growth in any other area, it cannot be rushed.

Nehemiah was committed to building a wall around Jerusalem. However, his commitment did not stop there. He also took it upon himself to lead the city of Jerusalem in a spiritual renewal. He made sure that there was a plan that went much further than just the physical wellbeing of the people.

As we have journeyed with Nehemiah, we have seen him step out in faith, build walls, deal with difficult people, face challenges of all sorts, and still continue to press on. Two things about the life of Nehemiah stand out. First, he had a very clear vision of what he was to do. Second, he was a man of prayer. These two things, partnered together, became a very powerful force that allowed him a to have a great level of persistence.

I hope that this journey has been enlightening for you. I hope that you have made a renewed commitment to walking by faith and being devoted to prayer. I also hope that you have begun to seek what God might have you do; the wall you are to build.

As God makes His will for your life clear, do not shrink back in fear. Press forward. When it looks like there is no way, remember the story of Nehemiah. Through prayer, persistence, faith, and hard work, the impossible can become possible. Make sure to share your journey with someone. Just as Nehemiah’s story has inspired us, your story of faith will inspire others. Make yourself available to God and see what He might do.

Fifty-Two Days in Nehemiah (Day 51)

Day 51

Remember me, O my God, for good

Nehemiah 13:31

Many times, in life, it feels as if all our efforts go unnoticed. We give and give and no one recognizes our efforts. These sacrifices may be for family, for friends, or for work. However, the result is the same. We give our all and it feels like it is for nothing. Sometimes, it even feels as if God has not noticed.

Nehemiah finds himself in a similar situation. He has given up everything, gone to Jerusalem, has worked hard, and dealt with all sorts of problems. You would think that things would start getting better for him, but they have not. In the final verses of the final chapter, he is still dealing with people who will not do what God would have them do.

Nehemiah has a choice to make. He can allow the situation to frustrate and discourage him. Or, he can realize that this is not between him and the people, but rather him and God. If his faith in God is where it should be, this knowledge will be enough. However, if he has allowed the situation to shake his faith, this knowledge will not be enough.

Each of us must keep a close check on our emotions. It is very easy to feel unappreciated and unnoticed. However, if we can keep a right perspective, none of this will discourage us. Knowing that God is ultimately in charge, and that He is the rewarder of people who serve Him, will help us to avoid frustration.

Take time today to gauge where your emotions are. Are you depending on people to make you feel valued and appreciated? If so, pray with Nehemiah, “Remember me, O my God, for good.” Not only is this an expression of faith in His power to reward and bless, it is a reminder to us that the approval of man is fleeting.  Make sure that you are serving for right reasons and with a right perspective.