| “So we labored in the work, and half of the men held the spears from daybreak until the stars appeared.” – Nehemiah 4:21 |
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| Diligence and Determination are Essential for Dreams to be Accomplished The Book of Nehemiah is the story of how a group of people under the leadership of Nehemiah REBUILT the city of Jerusalem by rebuilding the city walls and repairing the gates. The rebuilding started with a DREAM that is born in the heart of Nehemiah as his heart broke when he heard the conditions of the people, the Jews, and the place, Jerusalem, that he so loved. Nehemiah 1:2-3 reveals the heartbreaking answer that Nehemiah received when he asked how things were in Jerusalem. Neh. 1:2 says, “When Hanani, one of my brethren came with men from Judah I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped, who had survived the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they answered me saying “The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.” These words broke Nehemiah’s heart and he became determined to make a difference. The rest of Nehemiah 1 will tell how he was a leader from the knees up as he spends time praying to God because there was no way this dream could become a reality without God. Nehemiah’s dream was DEPENDENT on God!! As one reads Nehemiah 2 God answers prayers and Nehemiah secured the authority from the king to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the broken walls and repair the gates. Having seen the conditions first hand he then would cast the vision, his dream, to the people who decided to join him. It is worth reading this exciting moment in the story. Neh. 2:17 “Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.” 18 And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their hands to this good work.’ At this point in the story, one does need to know that NOT everyone is on board with the dream. Matter of fact some are DISAPPOINTED that Nehemiah has shown up. From Nehemiah 2:10 we read “When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of it, they were deeply disturbed that a man had come to seek the well-being of the children of Israel.” This is a great reminder that NOT everyone will embrace your dreams! This is why it is essential to have DETERMINATION because if you are doing something for God you will have OPPOSITION. Despite the opposition Nehemiah and the people go to work and in Nehemiah 4:6 we get a progress report. Neh. 4:6 says, “So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.” The diligent work of God’s people was starting to pay off and the dream was becoming a reality. Seeing the progress, the opposition stepped up its attack. To protect the workers and the work Nehemiah gives orders for the workers to be equipped with tools for constructing the wall and tools for defending the wall. Notice Nehemiah 4:16-18 “So it was, from that time on, that half of my servants worked at construction, while the other half held the spears, the shields, the bows, and wore armor; and the leaders were behind all the house of Judah. 17 Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon. 18 Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built.” With that background, we come to our verse to DATE on April 21 (4/21). Nehemiah 4:21 is another progress report. It says, “So we labored in the work, and half of the men held the spears from daybreak until the stars appeared.” “So, we LABORED” speaks of the diligence needed for a dream to be accomplished. Laziness does not accomplish anything. Diligence and hard work, laboring is what produce results. “And half of the men held the spears from daybreak until the stars appeared” speaks of the determination to do whatever was necessary. From sun up to sun down, they stood up to DEFEND and protect. If you have a dream to do something for God I am sure there will be statements on your progress report like Nehemiah 4:21. The opposition to God’s work is real. The devil hates what you are doing. He will seek to discourage you. He will seek to defeat you! You must be determined to be DILIGENT DOING the WORK while also DILIGENT to DEFEND the work. Your dream of making a difference for God demands diligence and determination. Verse to DATE the Word on April 21 (4/21) is Nehemiah 4:21. It says, “So we labored in the work, and half of the men held the spears from daybreak until the stars appeared.” The harder you pray and the harder you work the harder it will be to surrender. Continue Strong LABORING to see His dream come true! And remember to DATE The Word |