Meditation from Nehemiah Chapter 4
Nehemiah and the Jews face opposition. They face words of despise & discouragement. (4:1-3). During such times the devil plays with our mind so that we may become discouraged & depressed.
The way they respond to it is a great learning.
The way they respond to it is a great learning.
1. Mind to Work : They did not set their mind to the words of insults & discouragement rather they set their mind to work (4:6)
When we are called feeble and are told that we won't be able to finish the work or that our work would be sub standard, it is natural to get discouraged & to stop the work (4:2,3).
But the people of God here exhibit an example worth following; to not stop but to set our mind to work.
When we stop, the devil will rejoice, but when we work, he is put to shame and the LORD who called us is glorified.
2. Mind to Pray : In this whole chapter we see Nehemiah and the people praying at all times. They set their guard of prayer together (4:9).
The more the trouble, the more we need to increase our prayer.
3. Mind on God : The people of God learn that the enemy is planning a stealth attack and those who learnt this told the people ten times (4:11,12).
Nehemiah says to people to not to set their mind on where the enemy will attack rather to remember God who is great and awesome! (4:14).
Meditate not the trouble or insults or the barrier rather remember & meditate on the LORD and His Word.
4. Mind to Support : Nehemiah exhorts the people to rush to help the people when they hear that they are in trouble (4:20). But then he adds that "our God will fight for us".
The principle is we need to support people in their troubles, not to add fuel to the fire & discourage them further or to teach them to fight back, rather to encourage them to allow God to fight.
If you want to fight, you are taking the battle in your own hands; but when you wait upon the LORD, the battle will belong to Him!
5. Mind to be Alert : They were working in the day and guarding in the night (4:22). They were holding the work tool in one hand and the defending tool on the other (4:17,23).
The disciples of Jesus were found sleeping because of grief (Luke 22:45), but Jesus prayed more earnestly in anguish (22:43) and exhorted the disciples to pray.
When we face troubles or oppositions or insults, we need to set our mind to work more and pray more.
Allow not the devil to discourage you to stop the work God has entrusted. Wait upon the LORD so that you may receive the strength and may go further. In the times of trouble in people's life be not a discourager but an encourager.
Today's Intercession :
# Pray for the good health and total recovery of the General Secretary of GEMS, Augustine Jebakumar Uncle.
# Pray for the good health of all the missionaries.
# Pray for the school entrance tests and the admission process.
Have a blessed day!
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