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PERSPECTIVES FOR SUCCESSFUL SERVICE (I)
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Nehemiah 6:1-4

Matthew 10:16-23

 

“But beware of men.”

 

PERSPECTIVES FOR SUCCESSFUL SERVICE (I)
 
The focus of the book returns to the progress of the work of building the wall. The progress of the work invited more difficulties as the adversaries of the work (previously mentioned in Nehemiah 4:7), intensified their efforts to have the work stopped. The work was much advanced. The adversaries’ previous efforts had not borne them any fruit. They had failed to breach the work as the people had a mind to work. The adversaries gathered for another round of attack. They then focused their attack and attention upon the individual Nehemiah.
 
Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me (Neh 6:2). Those who vehemently opposed the work, had mocked both the work and the workers. They had also threatened the work. Then suddenly, and with no clear evident basis, they took a conciliatory tone. The warning of Christ, “Beware of men,” comes to mind. Enemies have been known to change tack. When force and threats do not work, they use deception to great effect, like the wooden horse of Troy! Jesus taught His servants to be “wise as serpents.” Therefore, we must not be ignorant of the devices and wiles of the enemy.
 
They thought to do me mischief (Neh 6:2). What intent did the invite have? It is important to evaluate intent and expected fruit of all forms of fellowship or communion extended, irrespective of how friendly they seem, especially when they come from those who have made known their displeasure and opposition to the work clearly in the past. Fellowship has to be built on shared conviction that is essential for mutual cooperation and service. Sanballat and his allies had not been able to stop the work so far. They had not been able to use fear, threats and anger to distract Nehemiah. So, they changed their approach and sought to separate Nehemiah from the work. They used what seemed like an open invitation to a leader-to-leader dialogue, and they invited Nehemiah to choose a meeting place. But the intent was to isolate him and eliminate him, thus putting an end to the work.
 
THOUGHT: A friendly invite can be a deadly trap. Appearances deceive.

PRAYER: Help me, Father, to be wise and resolute to focus on Thee.

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