The Bible Edge
Random Thoughts of a Spiritual Nature II
Nehemiah 6:3
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 was put in charge of rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem. Two men named Sanballat and Geshem sent a message to Nehemiah requesting that he leave the wall and meet with them. These two had no good reason to meet, they were enemies of the work and wanted to stop or at least slow down the rebuilding of the wall. Nehemiah’s response is recorded in today’s verse. 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? He knew he was doing a great work and that he could not stop. This angered the enemies, and they continued their efforts to stop him, thereby stopping the work. Yet, in 52 days the wall was rebuilt.
You know, you are doing a great work. Perhaps you are raising children, or building a marriage for a lifetime, or working to provide for the needs of your family. You may be pastoring a church, or working on a mission field, you may be in college, or it could be that you are a new believer in Christ, and you are attempting to build your life around His teachings. These and so many more activities are great works. Your children depend on your parenting, your spouse needs you for a lifetime of mutual fulfillment, your church needs you, the mission field needs your efforts, college education is a foundation on which your life work will be built, your new and continued life in Christ will take work.
These are great works therefore let this point be driven home. Don’t stop, don’t stop, don’t stop, don’t stop, don’t stop, don’t stop, don’t stop….
Never ever until the job is complete, don’t stop! Take King David’s advice to Solomon, his son. Be strong, and do it. (I Chronicles 28:10) Take Paul’s advice to Timothy. Fight the good fight of faith. (I Timothy 6:12) Take Paul’s advice to those in Colosse. Continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away… (Colossians 1:23) Or, Paul’s admonition to those in Thessalonica. And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; (I Thessalonians 4:11)
You are doing a great work whatever that work may be for there are always some Sanballats, Tobias, and Geshems lurking about. Keep up the good work. As sure as there is a God above, there is a payday someday awaiting all. Do the work and you will receive a good reward for your labor. God’s Word guarantees it.
William T. Howe, Ph.D.
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