Nehemiah 6:2-3 “That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief. 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?”
Nehemiah 12:27 “And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps.”
Nehemiah 12:43 “Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.”
Making progress for God will come with opposition. You will face obstacles in whatever you are doing for Him to bid, buy, or build. God is encouraging you to press on regardless of the challenges.
Nehemiah and his colleagues saw their own share of opposition. They endured mockery, ridicule, anger, and threats of violence. They were bombarded with discouragement, deception, and distraction. Yet they pressed on!
In the end, they resisted, and then rejoiced, and rejoiced, and rejoiced. Their expressions of joy were so powerful that their testimony was recognized throughout the surrounding area.
As you bid, buy, or build for God, expect opposition. Yet press on for Him! And when you successfully resist, then rejoice, and rejoice, and rejoice. The testimony in doing so will be recognized throughout your surrounding area.
It is a formula that follows the leadership of our spiritual forefathers. It also matches the pattern of our national forefathers as we rejoice during our nation’s semiquincentennial for what God has done for us!
PLEASE PRAY FOR AMERICAN CHRISTIANS TO ENDURE CHALLENGES AS WE BID, BUY, OR BUILD FOR THE LORD. AND WHENEVER WE SEE SUCCESS, LET US REJOICE, REJOICE, AND REJOICE.
