Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
The Road Ahead
Today’s Verse:
Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem. ~Nehemiah 2:20
Whenever we embark on a long journey, we consider the distance we will need to travel, the roadways along the way, and the possibility of hazards. When we say we are looking at the road ahead, we are taking into account our current situation and things we must consider in order to accomplish the journey. The start of a New Year and the goals we set for it can be overwhelming. We might feel like the energy we will expend might not be worth it, and we feel tempted to scale back our plans. This morning, we want to examine the determination and tenacity of Nehemiah as he considered the road ahead in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.
We see the troubling CRISIS.
“Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.” For over 100 years the walls broken down and burned by King Nebuchadnezzar were left undone. Nehemiah describes this situation as the distress we are in. Are you facing a year in which distress and burned-down walls are presenting to you an insurmountable task to take on? Do you have goals you have set that seem impossible to achieve? As we consider the road ahead of us, the view might appear troubling and too much.
We see the transformational CONTEMPLATION.
“And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire.” Nehemiah did a private viewing of the burned-down walls at night. He viewed several important locations of where the walls once stood. He had heard about it, but now he saw it. What he saw transformed him. His eye affected his heart. As he looked, he was determined in his heart that he would commit himself to leading the men of Jerusalem to rebuild the walls and restore their reputation and testimony. As you look and pray over your new goals for the New Year, let the Lord work in your heart and change you. Be determined that the goals can be achieved and that something monumental can be done.
We see the tremendous CONFIDENCE.
“Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build.” Nehemiah was filled with an incredible resolve that God would help them. He knew God called him to this rebuilding project. He had an intense faith that the walls had to be rebuilt and that they would be rebuilt. His faith was declared publicly in the midst the Jewish leaders and the adversaries who were trying to cast doubt upon him. This morning, determine to let faith arise in your bosom and have complete faith that the God of heaven will prosper you in performing the tasks associated with your goals.
We see the truehearted COURAGE.
“But ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.” The voices of the enemy sought to intimidate and stop Nehemiah from starting. With incredible boldness, he told them that they have no place in the project he was leading the people in. As you look at the road ahead, say no to the devil and the flesh. Don’t let the voices of discouragement deter you from moving ahead. Fight the temptation to quit and throw in the towel. When setbacks occur, determine to work harder and longer. No great accomplishment ever occurred without truehearted courage from those who set out to get it done.
The road ahead for 2018 might look daunting, but be determined to start well and keep moving forward. Have faith in God’s power, provision, and promises each step of the way.
Have a determined God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Genesis 4-7
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