The Book of Nehemiah tells a story
how the Prophet Nehemiah had a word from God to go back to the ruined Jerusalem and rebuild the
walls. The people in the world came against the word Nehemiah had. He had
mockers to deal with too. They made fun of his efforts and tried to marginalize
the work God was doing through the Prophet. But Nehemiah stayed on task and
kept building his boat. When mocking did not work, the world came against
Nehemiah through direct threats. Rabbinic tradition says that Noah also was
threatened as he continued to build his boat in the face of all worldly logic. Some
would falter in the camp of Nehemiah but the Prophet was steadfast. The Bible
tells us that the enemies would then ask for a meeting with Nehemiah. A simple
enough request really. Just enough to distract from the work God was doing.
Just enough where they could potentially harm Nehemiah and stop the work God
was doing. They requested this meeting four times. Each time the answer from
the Prophet was the same and it needs to be our answer to the enemy whenever he
seeks to have a discussion with us:
So I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work, so that I
cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?"
Nehemiah 6: 3 (NKJV)
When the world seeks to distract
you and pull you away you need to say that you are doing a great work and you
cannot come down. There is a boat to be finished for the Lord. If you want to
hear about this great work I will be happy to share it with you but the work
itself cannot stop for you. I know the work doesn't make any sense to you. Why
I would build a boat in a desert? Why I would rebuild the walls of a fallen
city? Why I would preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in 2010 America? Why I
would believe the Bible is the inerrant, infallible Word of the Living God? Why
indeed beloved.
He is a God of great love and
coming judgment. We better be ready for both. Keep building the boat.
Reverend Anthony Wade August 24, 2010
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