Overcoming Discouragement
Nehemiah 4:1-6 (NLT)
"Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage and mocked the Jews, saying in front of his friends and the Samarian army officers, “What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they’re doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a single day by just offering a few sacrifices? Do they actually think they can make something of stones from a rubbish heap—and charred ones at that?”
Tobiah the Ammonite, who was standing beside him, remarked, “That stone wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it!”
Then I prayed, “Hear us, our God, for we are being mocked. May their scoffing fall back on their own heads, and may they themselves become captives in a foreign land! Do not ignore their guilt. Do not blot out their sins, for they have provoked you to anger here in front of the builders.”
At last the wall was completed to half its height around the entire city, for the people had worked with enthusiasm."
Nehemiah faced mockery and discouragement as he rebuilt the walls, much like we face opposition in our spiritual lives. The enemy often tries to discourage us by pointing out our inadequacies or past failures. But like Nehemiah, we must keep our focus on God's calling and continue the work He's given us. What areas of your life is God calling you to rebuild? How can you stay focused on His purposes despite discouragement?
"Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage and mocked the Jews, saying in front of his friends and the Samarian army officers, “What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they’re doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a single day by just offering a few sacrifices? Do they actually think they can make something of stones from a rubbish heap—and charred ones at that?”
Tobiah the Ammonite, who was standing beside him, remarked, “That stone wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it!”
Then I prayed, “Hear us, our God, for we are being mocked. May their scoffing fall back on their own heads, and may they themselves become captives in a foreign land! Do not ignore their guilt. Do not blot out their sins, for they have provoked you to anger here in front of the builders.”
At last the wall was completed to half its height around the entire city, for the people had worked with enthusiasm."
Nehemiah faced mockery and discouragement as he rebuilt the walls, much like we face opposition in our spiritual lives. The enemy often tries to discourage us by pointing out our inadequacies or past failures. But like Nehemiah, we must keep our focus on God's calling and continue the work He's given us. What areas of your life is God calling you to rebuild? How can you stay focused on His purposes despite discouragement?
Posted in Daily Devotions
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