Those who commit to joining God in the building of his church will inevitably face discouragement and opposition. It's not easy! There are trials and challenges, testings and even suffering on the path. But God is worth it! And he gives us the power to serve him with joy, even when times are tough.
In Nehemiah 4 we see a glimpse of God's people facing opposition. The exiles had returned from captivity, had rebuilt the Temple in Jerusalem, and were now working on the city wall. This was God's work. He had brought his people out of captivity in Babylon and was now building up the remnant...and setting the stage to send his Son, the promised Messiah!
God used Nehemiah to stir up the hearts of the people for the work, as he had used Ezra before. So the people began to build the wall. And then we meet Sanballat and Tobiah.
These guys are just mean, and they hate God's people and God's work. First lesson! There is a devil, and he hates us. He wants to kill us and destroy us, but first he wants to discourage us and get us to stop working for the Lord. How many churches have people who have been burned...and have given up on the work! No longer are they working and building; they are just there - floating from meeting to meeting, discouraged and defeated.
Sanballat and Tobian begin to taunt God's people. They say that even if a fox goes up on their wall it will fall down. Words, even dumb jokes, can really hurt. They can deflate the people of God and take us away from the work.
"So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work" (Nehemiah 4:6, ESV). God gave the people a mind to work. Do you have a mind to do God's work? Or are you busy and distracted with a mind to do your own work?
So Sanballat and Tobiah raised the opposition. No longer did they just use words; now they're coming to kill God's people and stop the work! But Nehemiah leads God's people. They prayed to God (v9) and then Nehemiah gave them a charge that filled their spines with steel: "Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes" (v14).
What a charge! First take care of your own heart by refusing to be afraid, and remembering the Lord (who is great and awesome!). Then fight for others. Men should lead the way by fighting for their families. Fight for the other brothers and sisters in the local church where God has stationed you!
Finally, they got ready to fight...while they continued to work on building the wall! "From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, who were building on the wall" (v16). Notice that the leaders were right there with the workers and warriors, encouraging them along. Church leaders, get in their with the people and fight and build!
"Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built" (17-18).
A trowel in one hand, a sword in the other. Ready to fight while doing the work. What a vision for serving the Lord in the midst of trial and even opposition. Have you become discouraged? Have you put down your trowel and stopped working? Have you put down your sword and stopped fighting? Have you put them BOTH down? Well pick them back up! STAND with the brothers and sisters in the local church where you have been stationed, and join them in the work - and in the fight!
Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight as you build!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
The Season For...
'Tis the season for...a lot of things.
It's a whirlwind!
This time of year means so many things to different people.
For many it's the season to overeat.
For others it's the season to become a media junkie, vegging out on movies, tv, etc.
Others think it's the season to elevate traditions above all...
Or worship the family,
Or be lazy,
Grumpy,
Stressed out,
Depressed,
ETC.
How should the Jesus-follower, who finds himself in the middle of all this, treat this season?
1. Stay focused on Jesus. Don't get distracted by craziness - even while pretending it's for Jesus. Ask yourself what Christ would have you focused on. The truth of the incarnation - that the eternal Son of God took on flesh and became a Man in order to save us - is a glorious and healthy thing to set our minds on! Meditate on the glories of Christ, and the wonder of his becoming flesh!
2. Evaluate the Traditions. Ask yourself why you do what you do - or why you don't do what you avoid - when it comes to holiday traditions. There may be some pointless, distracting traditions that need to be canned. And there may be some really Christ-exalting things you and your family can do to celebrate the Word becoming flesh.
3. Look for Opportunities to Share the Gospel. Since we find ourselves in this culture, we may as well use it to share the gospel! People could be more open to hearing about Christ this time of year. Give gifts, cards, and smiles - with the gospel. Write a letter to your neighbors explaining the gospel of Christ and hand deliver them as a family...with some baked goodies. Ask God to show you how you can utilize this culture to share his good news.
4. Remember the Awe and Wonder of God's Glory and Love. Think afresh on the glory and holiness of God. He did not owe us salvation when we sinned (He didn't offer salvation to the angels who sinned...). Be blown away, once again, with the grace of God: how he chose to set his love and affection on us, and redeem us at great cost to himself. Stand, by faith, at the foot of the cross and look upon the One who poured out his lifeblood to ransom our sin-stained souls! Repent of hard-heartedness, grumpiness and selfishness. Receive from the Lord a tender, gracious and loving heart.
5. Show Love and Joy to Others. After #4, you'll want to overflow by just being nice to people - in the power of Jesus. Look around at all the distracted, stressed out people around you. Yield to the Holy Spirit and then go and love on people. Are there needs you can meet in Jesus' name? People you can encourage?
What a season of joy, when we remember the glory of God in Christ!
"And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'" Luke 2:10-11, ESV
It's a whirlwind!
This time of year means so many things to different people.
For many it's the season to overeat.
For others it's the season to become a media junkie, vegging out on movies, tv, etc.
Others think it's the season to elevate traditions above all...
Or worship the family,
Or be lazy,
Grumpy,
Stressed out,
Depressed,
ETC.
How should the Jesus-follower, who finds himself in the middle of all this, treat this season?
1. Stay focused on Jesus. Don't get distracted by craziness - even while pretending it's for Jesus. Ask yourself what Christ would have you focused on. The truth of the incarnation - that the eternal Son of God took on flesh and became a Man in order to save us - is a glorious and healthy thing to set our minds on! Meditate on the glories of Christ, and the wonder of his becoming flesh!
2. Evaluate the Traditions. Ask yourself why you do what you do - or why you don't do what you avoid - when it comes to holiday traditions. There may be some pointless, distracting traditions that need to be canned. And there may be some really Christ-exalting things you and your family can do to celebrate the Word becoming flesh.
3. Look for Opportunities to Share the Gospel. Since we find ourselves in this culture, we may as well use it to share the gospel! People could be more open to hearing about Christ this time of year. Give gifts, cards, and smiles - with the gospel. Write a letter to your neighbors explaining the gospel of Christ and hand deliver them as a family...with some baked goodies. Ask God to show you how you can utilize this culture to share his good news.
4. Remember the Awe and Wonder of God's Glory and Love. Think afresh on the glory and holiness of God. He did not owe us salvation when we sinned (He didn't offer salvation to the angels who sinned...). Be blown away, once again, with the grace of God: how he chose to set his love and affection on us, and redeem us at great cost to himself. Stand, by faith, at the foot of the cross and look upon the One who poured out his lifeblood to ransom our sin-stained souls! Repent of hard-heartedness, grumpiness and selfishness. Receive from the Lord a tender, gracious and loving heart.
5. Show Love and Joy to Others. After #4, you'll want to overflow by just being nice to people - in the power of Jesus. Look around at all the distracted, stressed out people around you. Yield to the Holy Spirit and then go and love on people. Are there needs you can meet in Jesus' name? People you can encourage?
What a season of joy, when we remember the glory of God in Christ!
"And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'" Luke 2:10-11, ESV
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