Daily Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 2:19-20 KJV
Nehemiah 2:19-20 KJV
(19) But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king?
(20) Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.
Today’s Devotional Is RELIGION AND RIDICULE
The record shows that the construction of the ruined Jerusalem walls was done in difficult times. The low-ranking rulers of the neighborhood rejoiced in the new activity, which allowed them to exercise their authority. They viewed this with dismay. They planned for the overthrow and required constant monitoring.
Do not be surprised if you face ridicule and contempt from Sanballat or Tobiah if you’re trying to do God’s work in the world. Some people find it easier to endure bitter opposition than to be mocked and ridiculed. We could move forward if these carping and scornful tongues would be silenced. But such persecution forces us to turn back to God and makes Him a living reality in our lives. It also opens the doors for the manifestation of His saving health (Neh_4;4, Neh_4/9, Neh_4/20). It is so good to forget about man and to remember that the Lord is the great and terrifying One. You can be sure you are following His plan and doing His work in His direction. Then, go ahead in His Name, and He will make all the mountains move.
We all learn from the threefold aspect that is Christianity. The third aspect of the Christian life is to look up at God’s face and say, “I prayed for the God of Heaven.” It is important to remember to pray. Prayer can do more than we think. The second is to keep an eye on our foes as well as the enemies of God. “We made our prayer unto God, and kept a watch against them every day.” Watch and pray are two different things. Last, let us look forward with a dawn-look at the task before us. At which point we must work with unwavering devotion in fellowship with our Lord (1Co_3;9). Ask each other: Am I in the city with its builders or outside with its detractors, foes and enemies?
PRAYER for Today
God, show us each day what Thou wouldst want us to do and grant us the grace and power to accomplish it. We should never, out of love for ease, reject the path Thou points out. Nor, for fear or shame, change our minds about it. AMEN.