Nehemiah 6:3
“And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?”
 
Making the work that God has given you to do a priority in your life does not mean you are prideful. 
 
Some have taken Nehemiah’s statement, “I am doing a great work”, to mean that he was filled with pride. Quite the contrary. He simply spoke the truth.
 
The work he was involved in was a God-given task, and he took that seriously.
 
Ecclesiastes 9:10
“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.”
 
He was filled with sincerity.
 
He was also stedfast in his determination to keep his focus on the purpose at hand, not on any distraction that was thrown at him.
 
Nehemiah 6:9
“For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.”
 
Paul encouraged labourers to follow the same principles.
 
1 Corinthians 15:58
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
 
Our enemy will try to distract us in any way he can from the great work the Lord has given us to do.
 
“…why should the work cease…?”
 
Disregard any excuse the devil tries to tempt you with in order to distract you from your God-given purpose…to give Him glory.
 
Nehemiah 6:15-16
“So the wall was finished… And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.”
 
Every thing we do should point others to Him.
 
 
Bible Reading:
2 Samuel 5-6   |    1 Corinthians 9

Matthew 11:28
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
 
Vacation season is upon us. Summer is almost here. 
Many will soon resort to beaches or mountains to find solace and peace for a season.
 
Labourers need their rest. 
 
Mark 6:31
“And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.”
 
Jesus Christ was an advocate for coming apart and resting awhile.
In fact, He led by example in purposefully taking time away from people to rest.
 
Matthew 14:23
“And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.”
 
The verse today is referred to frequently, and often quoted with the remaining two verses of the chapter.
 
Matthew 11:29-30
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
 
Jesus invites labourers to come unto Him.
In this verse we can learn many things. 
 
The invitation is for those who labour. 
This means more than punching a clock or spending eight hours behind a desk at the office. This is labouring with a burden. A burden for others. A burden for souls. 
 
We also find that those who labour will find themselves “heavy laden”.
When the burden is nearly too much to bear alone. 
 
The solution to our heavy laden-ness is to simply come to Him.
“Come unto me…”
 
What comfort there is in coming to Him!
A Resource and Solution that we neglect far too often.
 
Along with the Solution, there is a promise.
“…and I will give you rest.”
 
We could try to define exactly what is meant by “rest” here, but no definition would be sufficient…for He is everything we could possibly need. 
 
“…and I will give you ______________.”
 
The rest found in Him is better than a blank check… no value can be placed on it.
 
If you are weary and burdened down today from your labour, He is still inviting. 
“Come unto me…I will give you rest.”
 
 
Bible Reading:
2 Samuel 3-4   |    1 Corinthians 8

Nehemiah 4:9
“Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.”
 
The work had begun despite the opposition.
The wall was being built in sections, but all by the same team.
 
The more they worked, they more the opposition continued.
What may have been a justified reason to quit became the fuel to press on.
 
Nehemiah 4:6
“So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.”
 
Nehemiah faithfully took their situation to the Lord in prayer. All the while, Sanballat and his conspirators came together to fight against and hinder the work that was being done in Jerusalem.
 
“Nevertheless…”
Regardless of the persecution he faced, Nehemiah was determined to pray for God to intervene. 
 
Rather than attempt to handle the adversaries, he chose to allow God to fight for them.
 
Nehemiah 4:15
“And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.”
 
There were builders and there were burden bearers. 
Much like the work of the ministry today.
 
Nehemiah 4:17
“They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.”
 
Each of them had a part in what God was doing through them. 
They had one hand in the work and held a weapon with the other hand. 
 
What a picture of how we should work today.
Take the Sword in your hand and work with the other.
 
Hebrews 4:12
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
 
The Word of God is both our weapon and our comfort in the great work that He has for us to do.
 
Nehemiah 4:19-20
“…The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another. In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us.”
 
What a comfort it is to know that our God fights for us just the same today.
 
Nehemiah 4:21
“So we laboured in the work…”
 
Allow His Word to strengthen your hands and encourage you to continue on in the work, regardless of the opposition.  
 
“Nevertheless…”
 
 
Bible Reading:
2 Samuel 1-2   |    1 Corinthians 7

Nehemiah 2:18
“Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.”
 
The saying “teamwork makes the dream work” is shown first hand in the Book of Nehemiah. He led the people by example as they worked together to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. 
 
Nehemiah told them of how God had directed him, and how he believed that the hand of God was upon him. 
 
“Let us rise up and build.”
Some chose to support him and work together with him toward the purpose. These faithful supporters even chose to strengthen their hands for the work. This had to have encouraged Nehemiah as he followed the Lord.
 
Then there were others that reacted differently.
 
Nehemiah 2:19
“But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king?”
 
Some laughed, scorned and even despised those who were purposing themselves to do what the Lord had for them. 
 
When we seek the Lord’s direction, follow Him by faith, and purpose within ourselves to carry out whatever task He has given, we too will see people react in different ways.
 
Faith to follow the Lord often results in Him filtering out some things and people. We can choose to ignore the Lord working things out for our good and His glory, or we can trust that He knows best.
 
Nehemiah 2:20
“Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.”
 
Nehemiah’s response to his critics should encourage us that the work must continue even when we are facing opposition.
 
Oftentimes, opposition is just a sign that God is up to something.
 
Regardless of where or who your opposition comes from, choose to continue the work that God has given you to do. He will make a way for His work to prosper.
 
Trust Him today, and allow Him to do a work in and through you.
 
 
Bible Reading:
1 Samuel 30-31   |    1 Corinthians 6

Nehemiah 2:4
“Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.”
 
The king noticed there was a change in Nehemiah’s countenance, and asked why.
His feelings were written all over his face. Can you relate?
 
Nehemiah 2:3
“And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?”
 
His sorrow was rooted in despair that his home place was destroyed.
The king asked what he needed.
 
Nehemiah’s immediate reaction is a reminder that we should all apply to our lives.
Instead of ranting or even weeping for help, he once again chose to pray.
 
He was a man of prayer.
In a time of sorrow, he prayed.
In a time of opportunity, he prayed.
 
The king basically offered to do whatever he needed, and instead of using that to his advantage, he sought the Lord for direction.
 
Psalm 18:6
“In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.”
 
Nehemiah could have asked the king to send help to his hometown; but instead,
the Lord directed Nehemiah to ask if he could go himself to help. 
 
Nehemiah 2:5
“And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it.”
 
He wanted to be involved in the Lord’s solution. 
He had a desire to serve the Lord by serving people.
 
Nehemiah 2:17
“Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.”
 
When he came to town, he led by example.
“…come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem…”
And it all started by him immediately seeking the Lord’s direction. 
 
Seek the Lord’s direction in prayer today. 
 
He may direct you to build up some wall in His kingdom or it may be as simple as building up a friend by encouraging them in their walk with Him.
 
 
Bible Reading:
1 Samuel 28-29   |    1 Corinthians 5

Nehemiah 1:4
“And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,”
 
It has often been said that one phone call can change your life. Sometimes its unsettling news from a doctor or being made aware that someone you love has passed away. Maybe its news of a job promotion or of some unexpected blessing that God provided just when you needed it.
 
In Nehemiah’s case, the news he heard was devastating. He immediately sat down and wept as a result and ended up mourning for days. His sorrow caused him to fast and pray unto the God of Heaven.
 
Have you ever reacted this way to news you received?
 
The next seven verses contain Nehemiah’s prayer unto the Lord. 
 
Nehemiah 1:11
“O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.”
 
What if we went to the Lord in prayer about our current situation as Nehemiah did about his?
 
He pleaded for God to intervene not just for him, but for the children of Israel. 
He admitted his sin before Him.
He acknowledged what the Lord had said before.
He begged for the Lord to grant His people mercy.
 
If we ever needed to pray this way before, we need it today.
Our hearts are often consumed with dread, doubt and despair as we look around at our surroundings. 
 
The same God that Nehemiah served, is the One we can go to today in prayer.
He has not changed. 
He is still willing to have mercy upon His people, if only we will ask. 
 
“…when I heard these words…”
 
What is your reaction today?
May the Word of God prick our hearts today for our need of Him. 
 
 
Bible Reading:
1 Samuel 26-27   |    1 Corinthians 4

2 Kings 4:8
“And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.”
 
A happenstance is known to be a circumstance that happens by chance. We see what some may call a Biblical “happenstance” in a town called Shunem, where a great woman constrained Elisha to eat bread. She faithfully fed him each time he passed by. 
 
“it fell on a day”
Three times within all the pages of Scripture is this phrase found, and all within the same chapter.
 
Was it a happenstance that Elisha passed through Shunem that first time? No. The Lord ordered his steps to where this great woman was so that he could be fed.
 
She perceived that Elisha was a man of God, and would need a place to stay as he passed by often. So they made “a little chamber” just for him. They carefully furnished it with a bed, a table, a stool, and a candlestick.
 
2 Kings 4:11
“And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there.”
 
Was it a happenstance that this great woman and her husband felt the need to provide Elisha a place to stay when he came? No. The Lord burdened their hearts and used them provide his need of shelter and rest.
 
Elisha desired to do something for this great woman for the kindness she had shown to him. His servant, Gehazi, realized that she had no child, and her husband was old. Elisha then prophesied that in a certain season, according to the time of life, she would embrace a son. Exactly what he said happened.
 
2 Kings 4:18
“And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers.”
 
The child had a health issue. His father arranged for the son to be sent to his mother. She knew who to ask for help…Elisha. The rest of the chapter tells the details of how the Lord used Elisha to heal her son, all because the woman had faith that He could.
 
Was it happenstance that the child went out to his father in the field just when he needed help? No. The Lord placed him just where he needed to be in order for him to eventually receive the help he needed.
 
Nothing we do is by happenstance. While it may be a fun word to say, unfortunately, when you really think about it, there is no such thing. 
 
The chronicle of our lives is a testimony of how God cares for His children. 
If we look back, we can trace His hand through every storm, every mountain top, and every valley. This should encourage us to look ahead in faith of what He will do, instead of fearful of what could possibly happen.
 
God directs all things according to His will.
There are no coincidences with Him.

Look for His hand of provision and direction in every moment. 
The more you look for Him, the more you will find Him. 

 
Bible Reading:
1 Samuel 24-25   |    1 Corinthians 3

John 7:11
“Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?”
 
In the chaos of our world today, many seem to be asking the same question.
 
Where is Jesus?
 
The people who were not His disciples were looking for Him.
Yet, the disciples neglected to share the Answer to the question.
 
Perhaps they did not know the Answer.
 
The people of the Jews were murmuring amongst themselves concerning Him.
 
Some said He was a good man.
Others disagreed.
 
John 7:12
“And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.”
 
The saddest part was that His disciples stayed silent.
 
John 7:13
“Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.”
 
Their silence was driven by fear of what other people would think of them. 
 
How similar to our circumstances today. 
 
People are searching for Jesus, yet they do not know where to find Him.
 
Perhaps because we, His disciples, have stayed silent for so long. 
Now, we are silent out of fear of what others will think of us.
 
Somehow it has become more important about what others think of us, instead of what they think of Him.
 
The circumstances are still the same today as they were when the disciples went up to the feast. 
 
They were unaware that Jesus was there them.
 
John 7:10
“But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.”
 
He was watching to see what they would do, what they would say, how they would answer the question of the Jews that sought Him, “Where is he?”
 
He is watching to see how we will handle the same question. 
 
Will we stay silent out of fear…
or will we choose to proclaim the Answer?
 
Refuse to be silenced by fear today.
 
 
Bible Reading:
1 Samuel 23   |    1 Corinthians 2

Matthew 14:36
“And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.”
 
Jesus and the disciples had just stepped off the step and into the land of Gennesaret. This was the same ship in which Peter had come down out of when he momentarily walked on the water. 
 
When the men of Gennesaret knew that Jesus was in town, they sent word out into all the country and brought unto Him all that were diseased and in need of healing.
 
“And besought him that they might only…”
 
They had faith that if they only were able to do one thing, they could be healed. 
All they desired to do was touch the hem of His garment.
 
Where did they get such an idea?
 
Matthew 9:20-21
“And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.”
 
The testimony of the Woman With An Issue Of Blood had spread into their land. 
 
She had came in the press behind Him, desperately seeking just a touch of the hem of His garment.
 
Matthew 9:22
“But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.”
 
Her faith in Jesus had an effect on many others.
 
We do not know how many were healed that day in Gennesaret, but the Scripture says many were. 
 
She had tried everything else and spent all she had in trying to find a cure. 
What if she had doubted that He could heal her twelve-year infirmity? 
 
She brought people to Jesus that she likely had never met before. 
 
Her testimony gave them the faith to believe that if He could heal her, He could heal them too.
 
What effect does your testimony have on the faith of others?
 
 
Bible Reading:
1 Samuel 22   |    1 Corinthians 1

Hebrews 11:25-26
“Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.”
 
Every day we make choices.
Few things in life are not the consequence of some choice that either we have made, or someone has made for us.
 
Trusting the Lord is a choice.
Serving the Lord is a choice.
 
Yet, often times, both of those involve also choosing to suffer affliction.
 
2 Timothy 3:12
“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
 
Moses chose to suffer.
He knew that the rewards of suffering affliction for the Lord far outweigh any pleasures that only last for a season.
 
Affliction is directly related to growth.
Imagine all that Moses would have missed if he had chosen to stay in Egypt.
 
Hebrews 11:27
“By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.”
 
If we desire to grow in grace, we often can only do so by choosing to suffer affliction.
What choice does the Lord want you to make today?
 
Romans 8:18
“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
 
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Bible Reading:
1 Samuel 21   |    Romans 16