Recently, I was both saddened and gladden by the news of the death from natural causes of a suffering saint at the nursing home where I minister. I was sadden to see her go, but gladden to hear she did not go alone. One of the residents who is suffering from cancer herself held her hand as she transitioned to the happier, heathier other side. The serving saint did a good work. God has called all believers to be involved in doing good work. We all have one great work we are purposed for. According to Ephesians 2:10:
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Eph. 2:10:
Your one great work might be:
Mentoring: Some kid needs your wisdom.
Sick and Shut: Some senior needs regular visits.
The Homeless: Some street person needs a meal.
Satan wants to take your focus off the one great thing God has called you and your church to do, too. How do you overcome the opposition’s strategy to distract you? In Nehemiah 6: 1-15, we see a strategy of a great leader—Nehemiah—to stay on point on the one great thing he was called to do. We will see how to overcome the enemy’s strategy to stop you from doing your one great thing. You need three things to do the one thing you have to do: dedication, inspiration, and intuition to stay focused. Your pastor needs your next the same.
Key verses from Nehemiah 6:1-15 Now, it came about when it was reported to Sanballat… and to the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall, and that no breach remained in it, although at that time I had not set up the doors in the gates, 2 that Sanballat… sent a message to me, saying, "Come, let us meet together… in the plain of Ono." But they were planning to harm me. 3 So I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?" 11 But I said, "Should a man like me flee? And could one. 15 So the wall was completed… in fifty-two days.
First, you and your leader need dedication in the face of temptation to stay on point. Nehemiah was dedicated to do the great work he was doing despite his haters’ temptation? 3 So I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Nehemiah 6:3
Identify that one great work God has called you to do. Say no to the any invitation to the plains of “Ono.” Don’t get down from the scaffold. Be dedicated.
Say “no” to the “oh no” temptation of a bottle of booze or pain killer. You can’t steer a ministry, out of control.
Say “no” to the “oh no” temptation of adultery. You can’t awake purity in teens by sleeping around.
Say “no” to keeping up with the Jones. No promotion on the job is worth a demotion at home.
Second, you need inspiration in the face of insinuation to stay on point.
When they lie and said you are defeated, be INSPIRED. God says you are more than a conqueror.
When they lie and said you won’t amount to anything, be INSPIRED. The bible says “you are fearfully made.
When they lie and said you can’t do something, be INSPIRED. …that “you can do all things…”
Finally, you and your leader need intuition: that sixth sense that can discern the scheme of Satan to intimidate you to come down from your one great work.Nehemiah had intuition that the false priest Shenaiah was trying to intimidate him, and discredit him in verses 10-14. Discern a false prophet by his opposition to God’s word. The purpose of this kind of prophet is to discredit you. Study to get discernment from the word of God.
(II Tim. 2:15) “Study to show thyself approved by God, a workman rightly dividing the word of truth).
The wall was built in historic time –52 days—because Nehemiah had what we all have available to us from God: dedication, inspiration, and intuition. Your work might the last great work of God a person may experience on this side of eternity. Don’t let them down by getting down off your wall.
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