Good morning! It is Tuesday, October 10, 2023. Have you ever tried to do what was right, but received jeers instead of cheers? Instead of forgiveness, did you receive suspicion? That is the point at which we often quit. Not Nehemiah! He outlasted his critics; he outlasted the consequences. Whatever the cost, he pursued what was right in God’s eyes, not for reward or results, but for repairing what was wrong—because that was the right thing! Read on…
Today's Reading:
Nehemiah 3,4; Luke 23
Scripture
"Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked" (Nehemiah 4:18).
Observation
Those who returned from captivity were working with a trowel of cement in one hand and a sword in the other. Why? Because Sanballat and Tobiah stood against them. Their anger was ignited because they saw progress! Success will always threaten those who want what you have. Jealousy and envy are twin thieves, self-defeating and capable of stealing from you and others alike.
There will always be those who disagree with your methods, direction, and decisions, even when you do your very best to fulfill God’s will. They will want their decisions and agendas honored above anyone else’s, aiming to steal your confidence and erode your conviction.
Don’t let them.
Application
We, too, must learn to build with a trowel in one hand and a sword in the other. Peter reminds us to be alert, for the devil is like a 'prowling lion seeking those he may devour.' Solomon weighs in and reminds us that the 'woman of folly' sits by the way, 'calling to those who pass by, who are making their paths straight.' No, she doesn't go after those who tolerate crooked lives and accept unresolved sin. Instead, she allures those who are trying to straighten their paths.
It would be nice if, as soon as we decided to obey God, confess a fault, or rebuild a marriage, our problems immediately smoothed out! Fat chance.
Instead, the enemy goes on the warpath. Jealous people get mad, and envious eyes begin to squint in our direction. Rebuilding with a trowel and a sword isn't the easiest, but it can be done. The finished temple was a magnificent outcome for the Jews, and the same can be true for us.
Prayer
Father, I am realizing that reconciliation and rebuilding come at a cost. Repentance and a decision to rectify things don't immediately dissolve all hurts. The decision to rebuild will require time, sustained dedication, and a watchful eye on the enemy's tactics to thwart our efforts. So, Lord, please help me to build, and when I mess up, to re-build... with a trowel and a sword.
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