Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

26 September 2024

Reading From Nehemiah 6-7

“Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies found out that I had finished rebuilding the wall and that no gaps remained—though we had not yet set up the doors in the gates. So Sanballat and Geshem sent a message asking me to meet them at one of the villages in the plain of Ono.

But I realized they were plotting to harm me, so I replied by sending this message to them: “I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?”

–Nehemiah 6:1-3

     Nehemiah faced much opposition to his project of rebuilding the walls around Jerusalem.  This story shows us that just because we face trouble or resistance to something God has called us to, it doesn’t mean that God isn’t in it.  When we sense God’s direction for us to do something, He will give us the strength, courage, knowledge and wisdom we need to for Him to accomplish His will through us on the Earth. 

     We know for sure that many people who do not serve the Lord will oppose us in sharing His love and message, but there are also times when those who call themselves Christians even come against the Lord’s work.  This seems shocking and strange for us at first, but as we consider that even true believers sometimes function according their flesh, then we can see how some in their pride and self-centeredness come against the move of the Spirit.  Let that not be said of you and I.

“Lord, we repent if we have ever hindered Your work in any way.  I pray that we would come to a greater level of surrender to You and that You would have Your way in our lives and in the world around us.  Pour out Your Holy Spirit upon us.  Anoint us with power to minister love and truth and mercy and goodness to others regardless of the opposition that comes against us.  May we rebuke the enemy and push back the darkness with Your light.  In Jesus’ Name I pray these things, Amen.”

“Where, O death, is your victory?
    Where, O death, is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

 –I Corinthians 15:55-58