Nehemiah Chapter 4
Do Obstacles Draw Us Closer To God Or Push Us Away?
When nations around Jerusalem heard the wall of Jerusalem was being rebuilt, some mocked and ridiculed in hopes of discouraging them. When that didn’t work, the nations’ conspired to fight against them. Each time conflict came, Nehemiah always responded in two ways: 1. He prayed and 2. He had a plan of defense.
Giving up was never an option. He constantly encouraged his men so that the wall continued to be built while carrying out a plan to protect the people. Because Nehemiah always turned to God, God frustrated the plans of the enemies so that they never attacked.
When we are doing the Lord’s work, obstacles will come and when they come how do we respond? Are we filled with frustration and fear so that we whine and complain as if God is letting us down? Or do we respond like Nehemiah who always prayed first to God and then made a plan to combat against the obstacle? He kept trusting and kept encouraging others versus joining in with their fears and complaints.
OBSTACLES = Prayer – Plan – Trust – Encouragement.
Vs.
OBSTACLES = Frustration – Fear – Complain – Give Up
How do we respond? I hate to say it but I can be quite the complainer with God.
