March 29, 2005
Encouragement for the Day
Success in the face of Opposition-Part 2
Member of the Speaker Team
Key Verse:
“O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of love with those who love Him and obey his commands.” Nehemiah 1:5
Devotion:
Yesterday, we begin the journey with our friend, Nehemiah, as he set out to follow the plan God laid on his heart to rebuild his homeland of
Nehemiah’s example teaches us that in opposition we should:
Be willing to wait.
In chapter two, verse eleven, Nehemiah finally arrives in
Be prepared to hear ridicule and insults.
In verse nineteen, the insults begin. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us of God’s plan to prosper and give us a hope, but He did not promise that we would not be “slightly injured” by others along the way. When the insults come, respond as Nehemiah responded in verse twenty. “The God of heaven will give us success.” The insults continue throughout the rebuilding but Nehemiah never takes the insults personally. He does not get caught up in the insults of others.
Be willing to call for help.
Nehemiah had to call some workers away from the rebuilding to stand guard. There will be times in the midst of battle that we will need to call some friends to stand guard for our defense. Call friends who are living the faithful and victorious life - not girlfriends who will agree with your complaining.
Understand victory does have cost
In chapter five, we see the Jewish people being affected personally by helping the rebuilding project. In the battle of opposition, we are sure to lose things, people in our lives that are important to us, job security or our health.
My Prayer for Today:
Lord, enable me to respond to insults as outlined in your Word through Nehemiah. Help me to believe you for victory. Write your word of truth on my heart. I don’t want to take insults and attacks personally. Fight those battles for me so I can move forward in your plan for my life. Amen.
Applications Steps:
- Read chapter six.
- Write down insults and opposition that you have faced.
- Pray over them giving them to the Lord.
- Throw the insults away.
- Enlist some godly friends to stand guard for you.
Reflections Points:
- Am I good at waiting?
- How can I become better at waiting?
- How do I deal with the insults that are hurled at me?
- Am I willing to give up things in order to gain victory?
Additional Resources:
Who Holds the Key to your Heart by Lysa TerKeurst
http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/key.html
Becoming a Woman who Listens to God by Sharon Jaynes
http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/womanlistens.html
Living Life on Purpose by Lysa TerKeurst
http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/livinglife.html
Originally published Tuesday, 29 March 2005.
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