Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity: And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee: for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders. So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work. (Neh 4:4-6)
Now certain provocateurs of the Samaritans came and taunted the workers on the wall of Jerusalem. Nehemiah prayed, not for their repentance, nor for their forgiveness, but this prayer of imprecation upon them. He let his feelings be heard in defense, not of the people, but of the city and for God, for he knew their opposition was against God who had permitted the walls to be rebuilt in His appointed time. Though their opposition would get worse, Nehemiah and the Jews on the wall continued to pray, and to work, and to defend the city as God had called them to do.
He also stirred the people once again to the work, to be settled in their minds to ignore the Samaritans and complete the wall for the glory of God. The people did so for they were unified and in agreement. They did not do so to nullify the taunts of their opposition, though that did occur, but to please their God. The Samaritans brought greater opposition, such that the Jews had remain on guard, even as the worked, but the work continued because the people were of a mind to complete that which God had given them to do.
Today, we don’t pray for our enemies and our accusers quite the way Nehemiah did, for we are taught to love our enemies, and pray for their forgiveness. Since grace has been extended to us, we ought to extend grace to those who torment us, just as Jesus taught us. We pray for our enemies, not for destruction or with a hard heart, but in love offering forgiveness, as our Lord did on the Cross, or Stephen when he was stoned.
No matter the opposition, and with forgiving prayers for those who despitefully use us, we accomplish the work God has for us and minister as He has called each of us to minister, not for our glory but for His. We are to be unified and one mind, renewed through the Word of God, and focused on His will and His work while we are able.
While we are here, God’s will for His people is for us to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides, with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that others may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
He also stirred the people once again to the work, to be settled in their minds to ignore the Samaritans and complete the wall for the glory of God. The people did so for they were unified and in agreement. They did not do so to nullify the taunts of their opposition, though that did occur, but to please their God. The Samaritans brought greater opposition, such that the Jews had remain on guard, even as the worked, but the work continued because the people were of a mind to complete that which God had given them to do.
Today, we don’t pray for our enemies and our accusers quite the way Nehemiah did, for we are taught to love our enemies, and pray for their forgiveness. Since grace has been extended to us, we ought to extend grace to those who torment us, just as Jesus taught us. We pray for our enemies, not for destruction or with a hard heart, but in love offering forgiveness, as our Lord did on the Cross, or Stephen when he was stoned.
No matter the opposition, and with forgiving prayers for those who despitefully use us, we accomplish the work God has for us and minister as He has called each of us to minister, not for our glory but for His. We are to be unified and one mind, renewed through the Word of God, and focused on His will and His work while we are able.
While we are here, God’s will for His people is for us to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides, with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that others may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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