Reading: Nehemiah 5-6
5:1-19
The work to rebuild the walls was also threatened by injustice in Judah’s society. The wealthy oppressed the poor rather than follow God’s law. They loaned money at high interest and then claimed lands and forced families into servitude in payment of their debt. Nehemiah confronted this practice and won an agreement by the whole congregation to stop this from happening. Land that had been seized previously was also returned. Note that Nehemiah was able to confront this sin because he himself was blameless. Unlike other governors who lived by taxing their subjects Nehemiah paid all the expense of his office himself. Leaders are to be blameless if they are to exhort others with integrity. Parents too must be sure that when correcting children they are setting a good example. Nehemiah was able to accomplish all that he did not because he had a secular authority but because of the moral force of his example of full commitment to God.
6:1-14
Three more attempts were made by the Jews’ enemies to halt the work on the wall. They attempted to isolate Nehemiah so they could harm him (verses 1-4). Nehemiah refused to abandon his mission even for a brief time. We need to concentrate on the task that God has given us and resist those who would harm the work by distracting us. They attempted to frighten Nehemiah by accusing the Jews of rebellion (verses 5-9). It’s not unusual for Christians to be misrepresented or falsely accused. All they can do in such cases is to trust God as Nehemiah did. The accusations were not true and they continued the work. They attempted to intimidate Nehemiah into acts of unbelief (verses 10-14). Nehemiah rejected the so called prophecy of one Jew who wanted Nehemiah to lock himself up inside the Temple for self protection. If Nehemiah had fallen into this trap he would have displayed a lack of faith in God and would have forfeited the confidence of the people. If we are calling on others to trust the Lord we must surely display trust in him ourselves. Each effort of the enemy failed to distract Nehemiah from his mission. The result of Nehemiah’s faithfulness was successful completion of his mission.
6:15-19
The impossible task was accomplished. The enemies of God lost their self confidence and God was glorified. Even the enemies realised that the work had been done with the help of God. When you and I are given opportunities to minister to God we can approach it as Nehemiah did with steadfast faith and the knowledge that when we succeed it will all be to the glory of God.
Are there distractions that you are confronting at present? If so ask God to help you trust him and look past them.
