Nehemiah 6:9, 6:16

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:9, 6:16 For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands. And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.

Observation: There is always opposition to the work of God. There are those that will cause you to fear, there are times when you will feel weak, and there are times when you lose faith that the work will even be accomplished.  But if you seek God's strength rather than your own, if you cast aside all thoughts of discouragement, and if you stick at it, God WILL accomplish His purpose, and when the time comes, the naysayers will be put to shame, for they will realize that the work truly was of God.

Application: Yes, this is yet another post about work... it is hard but it is a gift and there is joy to be found therein. But most importantly, when you are doing God's will and God's work, all things become possible. It seems like any time you set out to serve God and to do His work, you face opposition. Sometimes they are in the form of physical opposition (tired, cold, achy...) Sometimes they are in the form of emotional opposition (being told you are not doing right, fear that you will not finish, frustrations at the lack of workers) and sometimes, they are in the form of distractions (the phone is ringing, the children are not obeying, the other people working are struggling...) God is no stranger to these struggles, and just as Nehemiah prayed in our scripture, God can and will strengthen our hands. (That is my prayer today!) And not only will He strengthen our hands, He will see the work through, and those that opposed it, will realize that the work truly was of God. Then, all the glory, honor and credit will go to Him... where it rightfully belongs.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I faced unexpected opposition in serving You yesterday, and today the struggles are already beginning. Please help me to keep my eyes upon You and please strengthen my hands that I may continue to  work until the job has been completed. I know that I cannot do this in my own strength, for it has already failed. Please give me the strength to complete Your work today. In Jesus name, Amen.