Do you like reading the Old Testament? When I first became a Christian, I stuck to the New Testament and particularly the Gospels. I found them much easier to read and understand. However, once I started doing corporate Bible studies and spent some time in the Old Testament, I realized it is filled with nuggets of truth and encouragement to help me through my journey.
Nehemiah was one of the treasures I found in the Old Testament. He was a humble man of God who was obedient to the call the Lord put before him. He was to go and repair the wall around Jerusalem. There is so much to learn from Nehemiah about being obedient to God. He knew God called him to the task, but he spent a lot of time in prayer before he began the task.
Once he was given favor by King Artaxerces to go and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem [Nehemiah 1:3-8], Nehemiah set his eyes on the prize. He would not allow himself to be distracted by anyone or anything.
When the Lord calls you to do something, do you fall subject to distractions around you? I know I do from time to time. When we do this, we need to realize we’ve taken our eye off of the goal and we need to adjust our focus.
Nehemiah kept his focus on the task at hand. The enemy sent several distractions along the way, but Nehemiah never swayed. In Nehemiah 6 we see Sanballat (How would you like a name like that?) trying several times to get Nehemiah to stop what he is doing and get him off task. Now when the enemy comes knocking at your door trying to get you to stop what you’re doing, it should be a clue you are on the right track and he doesn’t like it. Nehemiah recognized this and he was a stubborn one. We could learn a thing or two from his determination and focus. In verse 3 he sent a messenger to Sanballat and his friends with a clear message, “I am doing a great work and cannot come down.” When you are doing what the Lord calls you to do, stay focused. Do not let the enemy sway you or get you off track.
Your task may or may not seem great to you, but if it is a task the Lord has given you, it is great because the Lord is great. Stay focused. Remember, your purpose is obedience to God not popularity or fame. You may be called to something the world calls great, like Mother Theresa or you may be called to change dirty diapers and wipes noses for a season. The task doesn’t make it great or not, it is the One who you are being obedient to that makes it great.
What task is before you today? Have you been taken off course by distractions? Ask the Lord to help you adjust your focus and then ask Him to give you the spunk of Nehemiah to stay true to the job at hand. He will give you all you need to do what He has called you to do [Hebrews 13:21]. Remember, you are doing a great work and you can’t come down!