Several weeks ago, I woke up in the middle of the night and was impressed in my spirit to turn on the Word Channel, which I did. At that particular time, a pastor with whom I am not familiar was preaching from 2 Corinthians 12, and he was talking about our attitude when things do not go our way. Though I only heard a short portion of his message, I was motivated to revisit this scripture and to see what God is saying to me.
The author of Corinthians is Paul, the apostle, and in chapter 12 he shared that rather than be boastful in the revelations and visions that he had experienced and which made people think of him as someone special, he would be humble and not divulge anything. He implied, God knowing him, helped him keep humble by giving him something that kept him grounded. Paul called this, “a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan.” Commentators have given their different theories on what this was, but Paul was not specific in his description of this thing. However, he did say he asked God several times to remove it, but God told him, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” In other words, God told Paul, “The answer is no.” Paul concluded that he would take pleasure in sicknesses, in insults, abuse, hardships, opposition, and bad breaks for during these difficult times when he must depend on God; God receives more glory.
In our life, we do not want pain or anything that is going to make us feel uncomfortable, and if we are to experience these hurtful things we want it to be quick and short-lived. We often blame Satan for our misfortunes, not realizing these misfortunes sometimes are from God and are present to make us better witnesses for Him. Therefore, it is important for us to find out the source and reason of our difficulties, and to accept the fact that our situation may not change, but with the help of God, we will survive.
Let me begin this blog with this. God’s Word is given to us for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction. He has given us His Holy Spirit, which comes to lead and guide us into all truth; however, whether we accept the doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction, and guidance is left up to us.
On Thursday morning during our early morning prayer service at my home church, the Holy Spirit once again began to speak to me concern those things that I watch, and allow to penetrate my spirit. During this time, three words were mentioned. The first was appetite (desire, urge, inclination, longing, craving, thirst, yearning, hankering, ache), the second was entertainment (amusement or pleasure that comes from watching a performer) and the third was voyeur (a person who likes seeing and talking or writing about something that is considered to be private). I had to question myself on what was appealing to my appetite, and what I found entertaining. What did I long to watch, and why was I watching things that may not be wholesome and productive in my Christian walk? The Holy Spirit ministered to me about the subtleties of Satan and how he has made believers into voyeurs without us realizing what has happened. Remember, at one time in our society if you were caught being a voyeur (a person who gets sexual pleasure from secretly watching other people have sex) or a Peeping Tom (another name that was used for the same action) you could be legally prosecuted. However, our present society has made this act acceptable by inviting us via the media, in the privacy of our homes and at movies, to witness these acts without consequence. Our question becomes when we are watching is there an alarm going off in our spirit or have we become carnal that like the world we enjoy what we see?
After leaving prayer, I went to the gym, and at the front desk, two employees were engaged in a heated discussion about the show “Empire” which had been televised the previous night. One stated they was glad that the show was showing all kinds of sexual activity because the world needs to be exposed to what is happening and the other was concerned for vulnerable youths that were being exposed to the various sinful lifestyles. After listening to their exchange, I concluded that probably neither one of these persons were Christians, but the philosophy of the show was getting their attention. One employee was concerned about children. Are we concerned about ours? Are we monitoring what our children are watching, or are they watching on a different television the same things we are?
Also, have you noticed that because of ratings, a large percentage of shows are trying to outdo each other, so they are going to the extreme? Have you noticed that they are promoting acts that are according to God’s Word perverse?
In Romans 1, Paul wrote to believers about acts of perversion, which were the result of men not acknowledging God. The chapter ended with these words in verse 32, “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Paul is saying that there are acts in which believers should not be engaged, and they should not enjoy or take pleasure in seeing others do these acts. Unfortunately, many believers have overlooked this verse, for we are advertising ungodly programs.
So where does this leave me? My struggle, as I know a large percentage of believers also experience, is bringing my body under subjection to the Word and will of God. John, in his writing, said, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (1 John 2: 15-17). My flesh, my eyes, and my pride can be a major hindrance in my life in receiving all that God has for me. So, it takes all my resolve, discipline, and commitment to God to love what He loves and to hate what He hates. My prayer has become, “LORD, HELP ME, AND SAVE ME FROM MYSELF AND THE HAND OF THE ENEMY. SAVE ME FOR REAL.”
Finally, I believe that all of us must choose whom ye will serve, and may the Holy Spirit help you to make the right choice.
Believers in their lifetime often find themselves bargaining with God. This is not a new occurrence for this is what was recorded in Genesis concerning Jacob. Let me share his story with you.
In Genesis 27 Jacob the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and twin brother of Esau carried out an act of deceit with his mother and stole his brother’s blessing; consequently, his brother plotted to kill him. When Rebekah heard about the plot, she devised a plan to get Jacob out of harm’s way by sending him to her family in Haran to find a wife. So, following the wishes of his parents, Jacob leaves Beersheba and heads to Haran. After traveling during the day, it is evening time, and Jacob lies down to sleep and has a dream (Genesis 28:10 – 22). In this dream, he sees angels ascending and descending a ladder from heaven to earth. Also, he sees the Lord who says this to him, “I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.” Jacob wakes up and fearfully acknowledges the presence of God. He then makes this vow, “If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God: And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.”
Please note God gives Jacob whose previous actions displayed him as not a decent person, beautiful promises. Rather than rejoice in these promises, Jacob gives God his requirements for his allegiance. His response shows his distrust. He did not take God at His Word, and God had to prove Himself honorable before Jacob would acknowledge Him as His God. Despite Jacob’s response God was with him and allowed Jacob to return safely to Bethel where he finally acknowledged the goodness of God (Genesis 35).
Jacob’s bargaining is similar to what we believers do. First, we are not deserving of God’s favor. He overlooks our faults and showers us with His grace and mercy. In His Word, we find hundreds of blessings provided for us; yet, we question and bargain with Him. God if you do this I will serve you, I will give to, I will go to, etc., etc., etc. Unfortunately, many of the vows we make to God we do not honor; but we still expect God to treat us lovingly.
If in the past out of blindness, ignorance, or unawareness of the promises of God you bargained with Him, today is a good time to ask for His forgiveness, and to make a change in the way you petition Him. I had to stop typing this blog, reflect on what I’ve done in the past, ask for forgiveness and requested insight and help for the future.
I pray this blog has given you something to think about for it has helped me.
Malnutrition = lack proper nutrition, caused by not having enough to eat, not eating enough of the right things, or being unable to use the food that one does digest. Synonyms: undernourishment · malnourishment · poor diet · inadequate diet · unhealthy diet · lack of food · hunger · starvation
Using the above definition for malnutrition, I can conclude that spiritual malnutrition results from our eating habits, and when we are in this condition, we are unable to function at our maximum capacity. What is ironic is that many of us ask God to show Himself strong in our lives; however, we do not want to do what it takes to accomplish our request. Rather than feed our spiritual man that we might grow thereby, we feed our carnal nature. Many of us love junk food, foods that are high in sodium and calories, and foods that provide us with little nutritional value. We enjoy digesting and promoting worthless things, and we fail to realize we don’t have strength; for the right foods gives us energy, helps repair muscles, organs, and skin, and fights off diseases.
During a doctor’s visits, doctors usually question the patient about their eating habits. When necessary doctors recommend changes that will institute proper diets for they know improper diets cause health problems. As it is in the natural, so it is in the spiritual, our daily digestion of the Word is essential. Listen to the words of Solomon, “My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh” (Proverbs 4:20-22).
As I previously stated above, malnourishment can occur from a lack of food or starvation. I watched this happen to several elderly persons to whom I was closely related. These individuals were dying, and one of the things that I noted is that they appeared to lose their appetite as their time of death approached. This experience led me to research what happens when a person is dying, and here are some of my findings. Researchers believe the cessation of eating and drinking is a normal part of the dying process that typically occurs when a dying person loses interest in food and fluids. This also results in them becoming weaker, and when this happens, the process of progressive weakness leading to death will occur days to weeks sooner than would happen if the person had continued eating and drinking. I pray you are getting the message I am attempting to relay in this blog. When you don’t eat, you are dying, and when you don’t eat properly, you will be unable to function effectively.
Finally, the Bible provides us with the remedies for spiritual malnutrition. Jesus told Satan in Matthew 4:4, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Believers cannot exist on just worldly food; they are to digest not some, but all of the Word of God. Also, as God admonished Joshua in Joshua 1:8, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Believers’ continuous interaction with the Word and obedience of the Word ends in prosperity and success. Lastly, Daniel 11:32b states, “…but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” In this scripture, Daniel is informed about end time events. Those believers that know God will be successful, but they have to do the work to know Him. They must be in communication with Him, and they must study his Word. I realize God values His work.; therefore, God does not give irresponsible people power. If you refuse to eat properly and refuse to do the work you can wish and desire to be used, but you will be overlooked.
Let me close with this. Satan has deceived believers into thinking they can do things their way; however, those that are partners in God’s kingdom must be a believer of the Word, a doer of the Word and are definitely not spiritually malnourished.
1 Corinthians 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
In this world, the Spirit of Jealousy and the Spirit of Intimidation are in operation, and honest believers will acknowledge that these negatives forces do trouble and interact with them from time to time.
Here are my definitions and examples of these troubling spirits:
Spirit of Jealousy = envy, resentment, malice, ill will, covetousness, an unhappy feeling because someone has something that you would like or can do something that you would want to do.
When we look at the accomplishments (promotions/fame) and material gain (houses/cars/ clothes) of others the Spirit of Jealousy attempts to make us envious and resentful concerning the things that we don’t have or have not attained. We can find ourselves questioning why others have, and we don’t, for in our minds we are just as good, if not better, than those with whom we are comparing ourselves.
Spirit of Intimidation = the feeling of discouragement in the face of someone’s superior fame or wealth or status, bullying, make timid and fearful.
A good example of the Spirit of Intimidation is in the praying realm. Have you ever heard a person pray that set your soul ablaze, and you compared it with your prayer that was a simple few words? You became intimidated and felt you could not pray publicly because you did not sound like the great prayer. What you failed to understand is that God hears and honors your sincere, simple words as much as that great prayer.
These spirits are very subtle, and before you realize what is taking place in your life, these spirits will creep in and take up residence. So, here are a few suggestions to combat against these spirits: Demonic forces constantly bombarded our minds with negativity; therefore, I believe it is vitally important to rehearse scriptures that talk about God’s thoughts toward us, how we were made and our position in the Kingdom of God.
Furthermore, I Corinthians 12:18 should be permanently stamped in our minds. God created us the way we are, and it pleased Him to place us where we are. Our ill feelings concerning our placement, abilities, and accomplishments are saying to God I don’t like what You created, and I don’t think You know what You are doing, and could not You do it a better way? Unknowingly, Satan has us aligning ourselves with him. Finally, like the Apostle Paul, we have to learn how to be content resting in the knowledge that God is in charge, and His will is being worked out in our lives.
My home assembly, Bethlehem Community Church, has a new member class, which is called “Christian Stewardship.” In this class, a threefold commitment is taught on the premise that it is the responsibility of believers to share their time, talent, and possessions in the service of God.
Our first commitment is to God. Before anyone, and anything He comes first. Our behavior often reflects that in our mind, and world He is not important and we commune and fellowship with Him when it suits our convenience; however, this is a false notion. God affords us the privilege of having an intimate relationship with Him, the creator of the universe, the beginning and the end, the One who is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, and the judge of the whole earth; yet, we treat Him like He is a mere acquaintance. He allows us to choose whether we will serve Him, whether we will obey His word and adhere to His principals. If we love Him and are committed to Him, we will keep His commandments.
Our second commitment is to serve. All believers are called to be a servant, but unfortunately, a large percentage of believers are just pew sitters. They get involved as little as possible, come late, leave early and have a lot to say about how their church is run.
In several of His parables, Jesus uses percentages to describe the actions of believers, and unfortunately, it is never the 100% that are producing or having a positive result. For those in leadership positions, I believe He was trying to alert them to the productivity of believers; thus, they would not be disheartened when they experienced the apathy that is found in their local assemblies.
In the New Testament, Paul in a number of his writings shares that God has placed each believer in the body as it pleases Him and has given each of us gifts to use for the edifying of the body. No one is better than another, each has a specific part to play, and when a believer is missing in action, the body is not functioning up to its full capacity. Sadly, I can honestly say we have many malfunctioning bodies.
Our third and final commitment is to give. This giving is tithes and offering. I find offerings are usually not an issue because that is left up to the giver’s discretion, but I am amazed continually by believers who are non-tithers; yet, they request prayer for God to provide them with material things. They either do not know the Word, or they think they are exempt from tithing. Before I join people in their prayer request my question to them has become, “Are you a faithful tither” If their answer is, “sometimes” or “no” I share scriptures on tithing, and then my prayer becomes God help them to do what they supposed to do to reverse the curse that is existing in their life.
In my lifetime, I have numerous testimonies on how God blessed me financially, and I believe in accordance with His Word, He is blessing me because of the monies that I have willingly given. I believe and experience the song, “You can’t beat God giving, no matter how you try. The more you give, the more He gives to you.”
In closing, it is my hope and prayer that from this blog, you realize Christian stewardship is vitally important. As we are about to start the last quarter of this year, I encourage you to take a self-inventory in these three areas of commitment and either make the necessary changes or keep up the good work, so that you can hear the words of Christ, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”
USAGE = The act, way, manner, or amount of using or treating someone or thing.
Over the past months, I have blogged on twenty-two kinds of test, and this is the last one in this series. I compiled my list from a material that I read in several books; therefore, this list is not limited to what I have shared, for I am sure you could probably name several that I have not included in my blogs. If you do have any, please send them to me via comments.
This last test in this series is labeled the usage test, and it is described as when an individual experiences a lack of opportunities, invitations, or demand to utilize their ministry gift. For this last test rather than use a Bible character, I will share my own experience as it relates to this test.
I stand in the office of a teacher, and over the years, I have received numerous prophecies concerning my ministry and the lives of the people that it will touch. I have diligently recorded the words that I have received and occasionally review them to see whether they have come to pass. I feel as if I am in a holding pattern, for 80% of the words that I received have yet to come to fruition. Some would label this time as incubation, dormancy, waiting, or isolation.
I have learned that like animals that gather their food and store it, that I am to use this time productively: learning, studying, and preparing texts for the future. While I am waiting on my word, the activities in which I participate locally such as periodically teaching the adult Sunday school class in my church, the weekly Bible class I teach in a nursing home in our community, and the blogging I have done for several years enhances my gift. If Jesus returns before the fruition of my word, I don’t want him to rebuke me for hiding my gift in the ground; at least I am doing something with it.
Also, if I need to make attitude adjustments, this time has afforded me the opportunity to make those corrections. Often I must remind myself that God is in control of my life; He is ordering my steps, and in His timing, I will accomplish all that He has purposed for my life. Age is not a factor in usage, for God uses senior citizens. So, though I have not gone to the masses I am utilizing this time wisely for only the future will tell if the words I received were correct and it is my intention to pass the usage test successfully.
As I stated at the beginning of this blog, this is the last blog in this test series. I pray this series has helped and encouraged you in whatever test you may be experiencing, and I look forward to meeting you here again with my next blog installment. Until that time, God be with you.
MISUNDERSTANDING = A failure to understand or interpret correctly.
Some time in everyone’s life, they will say, “I’ve been misunderstood.” This is because people have misinterpreted their words, actions, attitude,e or motive,s and unfortunately though they might try to give insight to the misinformed in these areas, their truth may continue to be rejected. So it was with David prior to him becoming king, and in this blog, I will share his story.
God chooses David, the youngest son of Jesse the Bethlehemite to be the second king in Israe,l and when Samuel anointed him for this position, neither David nor his family realized what was happening. David’s primary occupation was that of a shepherd boy tending the family’s sheep, and after being anointed, he returned to that task. However, God had other plans for David. God allowed his gift of a harpist to bring him into the palace to play when an evil spirit would come on King Saul. Thus, David became familiar with court life. God also allowed him to kill the giant Goliath when all the other men in Israel were afraid to do so. This victorious feat caused the king to make him a commander in his army, and in this position, David behaved himself wisely, and the people were enamored with him.
All things were going well for David until after a particular battle with the Philistines when the ladies of Israel began to praise David more than Saul. The scripture reported this event as follows, “And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick. And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.” (1 Samuel 18:6-9)
David honored, respected, and treated Saul royally. Despite David’s actions, jealousy overtook Saul, and he no longer trusted David. David and Saul’s son Jonathan who loved David attempted numerous times to assure Saul of David’s innocence, but Saul was not thoroughly convinced for he would stop for a while and then renew his murderous attempts which caused David to spend many years on the run.
From 1 Samuel 18 until the time of Saul’s death in 1 Samuel 31 the Bible records twenty-one attempts of Saul to kill David. During several of those attempts, David had the upper hand and could have easily slain Saul, but he refused to do any harm to him. David never conspired or caused a rebellion against Saul. He never tried to become king of Israel during Saul’s lifetime, and when David received news of the death of Saul and Jonathan, he lamented.
David is an excellent example for believers to follow. Though misunderstood, and his life continually threatened, David did not retaliate. If you study the Psalms, you will find David asking God to avenge him of his enemies. He allowed God to take care of Saul; he David did not raise a hand against him. David, in this matter, waited on God’s timing. So, when we are misunderstood, misplaced, threatened and mentally fatigued, don’t disappear but instead love the misinformed, pray and let God work it out.
PROMOTION = Act of raising in rank or position. Encouragement of the progress, growth, or acceptance of something. The advancement of some enterprise.
In our public education system, the students are usually enrolled in school from pre-school to the twelfth grade. With each grade, the curriculum becomes more difficult, and to get promoted to the next grade the student must study, do the work and pass the given test. As it is in the natural, so it is in the spiritual. God allows us to grow, learn, and experience testing. He promotes us according to His will and not ours for He knows when we are qualified. Today, many ministers and ministries are suffering because their movement and elevations were orchestrated by man. We want success without the work, but if we study the scriptures, we will find this quote to be true, “God does not make leaders first, He makes servants and servants become leaders.”
Today’s blog is about a servant who was promoted to a leadership position. This servant was the Prophet Elisha, and we will examine his life and initiation into ministry. Our first introduction to Elisha is found in 1 Kings 19:16b in this statement that God made to Elijah, “And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.” God had predestined Elisha to be a prophet in Israel, but first, He provided him with training via servanthood. Commentaries vary in the amount of time Elisha was with Elijah, but most concur that it was between six to eight years. Nothing is recorded about the kind of service that Elisha provided for Elijah except in 1 King 19:21 where it stated Elisha ministered unto Elijah and 2 Kings 3:11 where one of the kings of Israel’s servants described Elisha as the person which poured water on the hands of Elijah.
After receiving the above direction from God, Elijah went to Abel Meholah where he found Elisha plowing with twelve yokes of oxen, and as he passed by him, he cast his mantle upon him. Please note that Elisha was not a lazy individual; Elijah found him doing manual labor. Elisha’s family was wealthy, and they had servants but rather than be idle Elisha worked with the servants. Elisha was willing to follow Elijah, but first, he went and told his parents goodbye and had a farewell feast for family and community. This also expresses his work ethic, he did not just pick up and leave, but he shared his exit plan with those in authority.
The years of servanthood were silent; however, they apparently had a profound effect on Elisha for on the day of Elijah’s departure from the earth which is the next time we hear about Elisha, he requested a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. This event is found in 2 Kings 2, which describes the day when Elijah is translated into heaven by a whirlwind, and Elisha becomes his spiritual successor.
This day starts with them leaving Gilgal and going to Bethel and from Bethel to Jericho and then to the Jordan River where they crossed over to the other side. At each of these places: Gilgal, Bethel, and Jericho, Elijah told Elisha to remain there; however, Elisha repeatedly replied, “As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee.” Also, the local prophets in Bethel and Jericho told Elisha, “Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head today?” and he told them, “Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.” Elisha was determined not to allow the remarks of men to deter him from accompanying Elijah to the end of his earthly existence.
After crossing the Jordan River on dry ground the Bible best describes their interaction and Elijah’s translation, “ And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the Lord God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.” (2 Kings 2:9-14)
Elisha requested the blessing of the firstborn, a double portion blessing and it is assumed that since the Bible records eight miracles performed by Elijah and sixteen performed by Elisha that his request for a double portion was granted.
During this last day, Elisha voiced what he had been living with Elisha: commitment, loyalty, and servanthood. He had been faithful, observant, and trustworthy. The time he spent with Elijah was precious, and he did not treat it lightly. He watched and learned. He did not attempt to become grand, and neither did he move out on his own, but he bided his time.
Today, we can thank God for the example of Elisha for it reveals to us some essential characteristics that all leaders need to be promoted from a servant to a leader, and truthfully speaking a good leader is always a servant.
VISION = The ability to think about and plan for the future, using intelligence and imagination. Someone’s idea or hope of how something should be done, or how it will be in the future. Something is seen by other than normal sight; something perceived in a dream, trance, etc. or supernaturally revealed, as to a prophet. The ability to see more.
From the beginning of His relationship with Israel, God required their loyalty and allegiance. He told them continually that their disobedience would end in their dispersing and captivity. Consequently, He informed the prophets of Israel of the pending seventy years of captivity which took place as He said. Upon the completion of the seventy years, remnants began returning to Israel under the leadership and encouragement of men like Zerubbabel, Haggai, Zechariah, Ezra, Nehemiah, and King Cyrus, Artaxerxes, and Darius.
This blog will focus on the works of Nehemiah who God gave a vision and a burden for Israel. Furthermore, despite the opposition, he remained focus, had a plan of execution, perceived what others could not, and successfully passed the vision test.
Nehemiah, the son of Hachaliah, was a trusted, loyal, cupbearer in the service of the Persian King Artaxerxes. After receiving information on the state of affairs of the Jews that had returned to the province of Judah, he became burdened for his countrymen. This burden led him into a time of mourning, weeping, fasting, sadness, and intercession. When the king questioned Nehemiah about his apparent sadness, Nehemiah explained his concern for his countrymen and asked permission to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the city walls. The king granted Nehemiah’s request and sent him with an escort, letters addressed to the governors of the areas for safe travel, and a letter to the manager of the king’s forest to give Nehemiah lumber for his project.
Upon arrival in Jerusalem, Nehemiah surveyed the walls, and then he called for the officials and voiced his concerns and plans. With his encouragement, the people who had become complacent rallied to the cause. The rebuilding took two months to complete. It was two months of prayer, continuous labor, enthusiastic people willing to work, questions and division within Judah, defending the poor and oppressed against mistreatment from fellow Jews, ignoring the taunts and threats of their enemies, and a readiness to fight the enemy when and if necessary.
Let me share this scripture that summarizes Nehemiah’s effort, “So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work. But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth, And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it. Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them. And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah. They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, everyone with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days” (Nehemiah 4:6-9, 16-18a; 6:15-16).
Nehemiah did not stop after building the wall, but he also became the governor of Jerusalem for twelve years. While in this position, he re-established and reformed the religious and natural institutions needed for Israel successful growth and development. His life was a life committed to God, and he often sought Him in prayer. God honored Nehemiah’s sincere actions and strengthened him to carry out the vision.
Each believer has an assignment and a vision which needs prayer and Divine direction. The more we connect with God, the more apparent things will become. In the spirit, we will see what to do, how to do it, who will assist, and who will hinder; for those vision given by God are meant to be fulfilled.
On today, if you are struggling with your vision, along with prayer, I recommended you do an in-depth study of the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. I know they will enlighten and encourage you to pass your vision test.
The Teacher's Pick 