Keep on to the End

O. T.#1062  "Keep on to the End"
Sept. 18, 2017
Nehemiah 6-Part 3
If, when you do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto, were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps. 2 Peter 2:21

LET IT GLOW

This was the third year our church held a teen girls retreat. Everyone worked hard to make it a success. God  worked in and through the women leaders, the musicians, and the speaker. He worked in the hearts of the girls and 6 were saved this past Saturday. Only God can save a sinner. We give Him the glory and praise. Nehemiah and the Jews worked hard on the wall and gates around Jerusalem. For about a century and a half the walls laid in ruins.

Finally, it was finished! In the hottest part of the year, the Jewish builders worked day and night, day after day, until the wall around Jerusalem was completed. Amazingly, it only took 52 days, less than 2 months, to get the job done.  Only God could have done this through them. He works through faithful people; it is God who works.

Perseverance was essential in the task completion by the Jews. They worked until it was done. In spite of opposition, disaggreeance, there is the tendency to quit when it gets tough.

How is our perseverance in these scenarios?

• marriage,
• raising children,
• working at our job,
• leading projects,
• teaching a class at church,
• staying faithful to Christ?

LET IT GROW

What impact did the completion have on their enemies?

• They were disheartened, for they had failed to stop the project.
• They were frightened since Jerusalem would grow stronger with God's help.

It is revealed in verses 17-19 how Tobiah found out what Nehemiah was doing during the work. He communicated with nobles in Judah, since he married into a Jewish family. His son had married one o the workers on the wall. Also, h had a close relationship with the high priest. Jewish leaders were loyal to Tobiah, probably due to business dealings. These informers spoke of the happenings. They even tried to persuade Nehemiah that Tobiah was a good ole boy. Those tattletales!

People in leadership often receive nasty notes, rude e-mails, mean text messages, belligerent voicemails, or even old-fashioned hate mail, trying to intimidate leaders with personal attacks. One mean-spirited comment can trump a dozen glowing praises. Leaders nee discernment in order to weed out such comments. Because Nehemiah was on his knees, he was able to face the threats without giving in or loosing sight of his ultimate goal. (Swindoll)



LET IT GO

Keep on keepin' on.