Blessed Lord, who caused all
holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant me so to hear them, read,
mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that I may embrace and ever hold fast
the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior
Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for
ever and ever. Amen.
For He shall give His
angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. Psalm 91:11
I pretty much imagine my assorted
loves ones pleading for His angels to take charge over me every single time I
get near my beautiful big bicycle. I have an affinity for gouged-out and
busy-traffic streets, and it is not without reason that each and everyone calls
out after me, “Be careful!” as they peer upward looking for those angels. Our
minds are full of images of golden and white winged guardians with drawn swords
standing between His children and jagged oceanside cliffs and roaring lions. And
bumpy roads.
And while this is all true, even
more so, we wrestle not against flesh and
blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the
darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians
6:12
Sunday Jack taught from Nehemiah 4 and 6, and detailed the physical
and emotional manifestations of these wrestling matches. Yes it is true that
the battle appears to be against Sanballat the mocker, and Tobiah the
Ammonite who said, “What do these Jews think they are building? If even a small
fox climbed up on it, he would break down their wall of stones!”
But
we know better. We know who the real enemy is.
And
we read how Nehemiah, the wise and faithful and courageous man of God met all
of the flaming darts. After the ridicule, he took his anger and humiliation to
God in prayer, freely expressing his feelings. It is to be noted, however, that
he did not target his anger and humiliation against the mockers themselves. He
knew it wasn’t really about them. And him. There was something far bigger at
stake.
Today’s
Call to Prayer is a call to waiting for His rescue: Love
the LORD, all you who worship him; the LORD protects the faithful, but repays
to the full those who act haughtily. Be strong and let your heart take courage,
all you who wait for the LORD.
Waiting is an act of worship. Waiting is declaring to our
enemies that He is God. He is trustworthy.
Reacting is wrenching control from Him, denying His goodness,
an act of haughtiness full of its own consequences.
Jesus
said that persecution and insulting is a blessing. Peter tells us to respond
with gentleness and respect. John White says when we listen to the enemy, we
stop working for the kingdom, but when we continue feeble walking forward, we
continue in His service. We need to respond in prayer and work.
Once
ridicule failed, the enemies turned to threats, threats that led to
discouragement and hopelessness. The workers became tired. They complained, “There
is too much dirt and trash in the way. We cannot continue to build the wall.”
They pointed out ten times, “Our enemies are all around us. They are everywhere
we turn.”
Nehemiah’s responded with both word and deed; he filled in
the low places and encouraged his people, Don’t
be afraid. Remember the LORD who is great and awesome. Jack’s face lit up
with joy reminding us of Nehemiah’s confident response to his quaking people.
I too need to respond in trust and action. Trust as in the
psalmist’s declaration, when anxiety was
great within me, Your consolation brought joy to my soul. Psalm 94:19. God is faithful. He who began a good work in
will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. God is bigger
than my weaknesses.
Yesterday was pretty awful instructionally-wise. I have
certainly not stepped into any rhythm beyond neatly writing the day’s
objectives on the whiteboard. My low places are myriad. And it is easy to
become tired and discouraged and complain. But Nehemiah did not falter.
Steadily and wisely he assessed and everyone
went back to their job and did their part. I have no idea how the Spanish
skits were the high point of so many students’ day when they felt like utter
chaos. But like those weary folks with a job to do, so will I continue to work
on the wall, from the first light of the
morning until the stars came out at night.
The enemies did not relent. They brought out more weapons,
those of compromise and intimidation from within. And like Nehemiah, I must
continue on. Deceitful attacks need to be met with truth, focus on the primary
task, and prayer for strength. Pray for discernment against the schemes of
Satan, which are often those of compromise.
And
that is where those angels come in. All day yesterday I reminded myself that
His angels have been given charge over me in all my ways, in
all of my struggles whether they be for wisdom or against fear or in
weariness, they are there, with overarching power and strength, to guide and to
keep me.
And
may my heart take courage, as I join
those who wait for the LORD.
And I plea for courage and
strength and guidance and provision for all the others who wait, who wait and
struggle in circumstances far more threatening and disheartening than anything
I will ever imagine.
Dear LORD God Almighty, Be our strong rock, a castle
to keep us safe, for you are our crag and our stronghold; for the sake of Your
Name, lead us and guide us.
For the sake of Your name.
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