Jump Start # 3382

Nehemiah 6:3 “So I sent messengers to them, saying, ‘I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?’”

The sixth chapter of Nehemiah is a pivotal section in that book. The building of the wall is finished. It took just fifty-two days. Amazing. Today, with an army of engineers, modern equipment, and tons of finances, it takes several years to build a bridge or an overpass in our community. Fifty-two days and the wall was finished.

At the front end of this chapter, the evil duo, Sanballat and Tobiah, are up to no good again. Like a pesky mosquito, they won’t leave Nehemiah and the people of God alone. Once again, the enemies send a message. Let’s meet on the plains of Ono to talk. Persistent, the enemy sends messages four times. The fifth time, it came in an open letter where anyone could read it. Lies and stories are made up. Rumors spread. Again, by the seventh verse, “Come now, let us take counsel together.”

Here are some things we learn:

First, Nehemiah recognized that the enemy was up to no good. He says, “they are planning to harm me.” Sometimes the enemy can sound sweet and kind, even kinder than the people of God. But Nehemiah knew. They were up to no good. Far too many are ready to rush to Ono and naively listen to what the enemy has to offer. There is nothing good that comes from the enemy.

Sometimes we fail to realize that there are enemies of God’s people today. Satan hates the kingdom. He hates everything about the kingdom. He’ll use people, culture, and even one of us, to get us to stop what we are doing. Not Nehemiah. He recognized and saw through the false things of the enemy.

Second, Nehemiah understood that what he was doing was a great work. It was more than just a work. It was more than something that ought to be done. In his words, “it was a great work.” Do we see that about the work that we do in the kingdom. It’s more than just mailing out things, inviting people, having Bible studies, it’s a great work that we are doing. It’s a great work because it is God’s work. It is a great work because it changes lives for eternity. I love a preacher who is a work-a-holic. He understands that there is so much to do and so many people to help. It’s a great work that is being done.

Third, Nehemiah wasn’t about to stop this work. He was needed there. For him to leave and meet the enemy at Ono, meant that some of the work may not get done. He understood what was important. He understood where he was needed. He understood what was best. The work of saving souls, leading sheep and encouraging brethren can become side tracked because we are at Ono talking to people who are not interested in God’s work. All they want to do is talk. All they are interested in is getting us to not do what we ought to be doing.

Fourth, Nehemiah did not let the lies, rumors and gossip change what he was doing. He knew. He knew the truth. Rather than spending time answering all those charges, his words were, “you are inventing them in your mind.” That was the message he sent in return. He didn’t have to go through the details. He didn’t have to answer every argument. You made this stuff up and I know that. I’m staying at my post and doing the work that I need to be doing.

Sidetracked. Bogged down. Chasing things that do not matter. That can become our lives. Nehemiah didn’t let it. The enemy said, “Let’s meet at Ono.” Nehemiah said, Oh-No. I’m not going to Ono.

Let’s get back to our mission and our purpose as we labor for the Lord. It’s great work that we are doing.

Roger

Jump Start # 3380

Nehemiah 4:14 “When I saw their fear, I rose and spoke to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people: ‘Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses.”

Nehemiah is such an important book in our Bibles. Historically, it shows the people of God restoring walls and then their spiritual lives. That’s a valuable lesson. It’s a great study for those who lead God’s people. Nehemiah was a natural leader. There is no indication that he went to leadership training or had advance studies in how to influence and motivate people. He may have picked up some things being around the Persian king as he was the cupbearer for him.

In this chapter, the enemies, Sanballat and Tobiah and any one else they could deceive to their cause become angry because the walls are going up. They conspire to attack Jerusalem. They scared the Jews who lived near them. Frightened and defeated in spirit, they came to Nehemiah TEN times with news that we will be attacked.

Our verse today is pivotal for shepherds in God’s kingdom and dads in the home. “When I saw their fear…”

Let’s build upon that statement:

First, Nehemiah was already a step ahead. He had placed guards around the clock to be watching. Nehemiah prayed. The rumors and gossip were spreading thick about the people, and Nehemiah recognized it. Leaders, whether in the church or in the home, need to recognize fear, discouragement and discontentment. When we don’t see it, things swell. And, by the time we do see it, there is a mass exodus because everyone is fearful. Charges are made that the leaders aren’t doing anything.

How did Nehemiah see their fear? He was around them. He was talking to them. He noticed. Fear isn’t something that can be hidden very well. Nervousness comes out in our speech, in our prayers and in our actions. Fear can take over the heart. How many times did our Lord tell the disciples, “Fear not.”

Second, Nehemiah spoke. He spoke to the leaders. That’s important. If the leaders become scared and unsure, then there is no assurance and confidence that will fill the hearts of the people. Nehemiah spoke to the leaders. But, he didn’t stop with that. He also spoke to “the rest of the people.” He spoke to everyone.

A calm voice. A confident voice. A voice of faith. A voice of trust. A voice that is sure. It’s a scared child that will run to his parent’s bed in the middle of the night because of a thunderstorm. It’s that calming voice of the parents that allows that child to fall back asleep.

When leaders do not communicate or the message is not clear, fear escalates among the people. In Jesus’ story of the good shepherd, in John 10, when the wolf appears, the hireling takes off. He’s only thinking about himself. The sheep are left to themselves and they will be destroyed. The good shepherd stays there when the wolf shows up. The good shepherd will fight the wolf to the death to protect the sheep. The sheep trust and are confident with the shepherd nearby.

Nehemiah spoke.

Third, Nehemiah brought God before their eyes. That’s the problem with fear. We see the problem but we don’t see God. Peter looked at the wind and the waves and he started to sink when he was walking on water. When we look at the problems and not to the Lord, our faith sinks.

Nehemiah reminded them of God who is great and awesome. God who parted seas. God who brought the walls of Jericho down. God who drove out nations. God who brought a giant down. How can you forgot? God is greater than our enemies. God is greater than any problem we face.

Nehemiah said, “remember the Lord.” Did you forget? God’s here. God’s got this. God will help you. Remember the Lord.

Fourth, Nehemiah reminded the people of what is important. Fight for your families. Fight for your homes. Don’t wave the white flag. Don’t let the enemy in. Your mission. Your purpose. Your reason for building the wall. Fight. And, when our problems seem great, we must fight for our congregations. We must fight for our families. We must fight for our souls.

The enemy is a lot of talk. The enemy makes up things. The enemy feeds on rumors, lies and gossip. We stand with the Lord. The enemy will fall.

Nehemiah saw their fear. Nehemiah went into action.

Great reminders for us.

Roger