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A MIND TO WORK AND PRAY (III)
SATURDAY, JANUARY 24
Nehemiah 4:7-11

2 Corinthians 11:16-33

 

“…I will glory of the things

which concern mine infirmities.”

 

A MIND TO WORK AND PRAY (III)
 
The certainty of challenges and opposition to God’s work includes the understanding of their repeated and recurring nature. Overcoming a particular challenge does not mean the end of challenges and opposition to God’s work. Challenges and opposition will not cease in the work and service of God. The work progressed despite the enemy’s onslaught. The visible progress of the work did not weaken the opposition. On the contrary, as the workers had a mind to work and made progress, the sole intent of Sanballat and his friends was to stop the work.
 
Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites (Neh 4:7). The opposition against the work included an increase in the opponents. This is clear as one traces the addition of the names of the opponents to the work. In Nehemiah 2:10, Sanballat and Tobiah were mentioned alone. In Nehemiah 2:19, Geshem was introduced. In Nehemiah 4:1-2, the army of Samaria was introduced. And here in Nehemiah 4:7, the Arabians, the Ammonites and the Ashdodites were added to the number of those who were “very wroth” (Neh 4:7) with the progress the builders were making.
 
And conspired all of them together (Neh 4:8). The unity and resolve of the enemies against God’s work were unmistakable. Their intention and focus were singular and clear: the work must stop. Their conspiracy was focused on and targeted to hindering the work. If this was the nature of the enemy, this required an equally clear, focused and singular response from the servants of God. The enemies conspired against the work; the servants of God persevered in the work. They had derided and mocked God’s work saying, “Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down” (Neh 4:3). Reinforcement and alliances would be called, revealing that work done with God’s blessing and help, even if it seems weak and despised, would be fruitful to the glory of God.
 
THOUGHT: Opposition should not hinder progress in God’s work.

PRAYER: Father, may I be diligent in Thy work at all times.

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