Go to God, and Get Back to Work!

Scripture: Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. Nehemiah 4:1 Observation: So much work had been done on the wall Nehemiah was rebuilding. Gates rehung, towers restored, breaches repaired. It was close to half-way finished. Nehemiah and his team were close to carrying out the task of the Lord. And then opposition arises. Sanballat begins to taunt them and accuse them. This does not deter Nehemiah, however, who takes this issue straight to God, and then gets back to work. Goes to God, and gets back to work. There is a wall to be built, after all. In the next few verses we see the people rallied and finished that stage of the wall--1/2 done, because they had a mind to work. Application: When you are getting close to accomplishing the task God has set before you, opposition will rise. It may be in the form of a person or a problem. It might be financial or medical. It may be something that affects the whole team, or a personal issue. But obstacles are not evidence that wrong has been done. Sometimes they are a blockbuster sign that something right is happening. The enemy will leverage whatever tools at his disposal to slow down God's work. I need to take seriously Nehemiah's example of praying, and getting back to work. I probably tend to focus on all the wall-building aspects in my life, and not remember that projects need prayer. Prayer: God, I thank you for the wall building you let me do. Please guard these walls and build them up for your people and your glory. May my heart turn again and again to you, and may I keep at the work, that I might see you finish the wall.