Author: astherainandsnow

“A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return.  Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come…’  When he returned,.. he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’  And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’  And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’  And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’  Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief;  for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’  He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow?  Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’  And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’  And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’  ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” Luke 19:12-13,15-26

Jesus kept about His work, engaging in God’s assigned business on earth until it was complete. His business was healing, His business was caring, seeking the lost, weeping, exposing sin, comforting, washing feet. His business was teaching and demonstrating the truth of the gospel before He was crucified to enact its ultimate purpose. In doing so, He exemplified, in life and story, the work His servants were to do in their allotted time. Putting His entrusted assignment and gifts to work would yield much for now and the future. (Luke 19:10,41-42,45-47; John 4:34;11:32-36; 17:4)

The Lord has placed each of us here on earth with an assignment to engage in business as His servants. How we implement His gifts for the greater good is up to us. We can run out of the gate with fanciful dreams and frivolously squander His resources. We can stew unhappily in wrong assumptions of His intentions and stubbornly refuse to use them at all. Or we can ask for His vision for our days and opportunities, the ‘city’ where He has placed us, and follow His where and how to work.

Where has the Lord has uniquely placed us, and how is He calling us to use His talents there? If called to account today, what do we have to show for His bounty? How is our business- relationships, private worship, work, use of resources- honoring or dishonoring His character and generosity? When we are yielded, the Spirit can transform fruitless waste to fruitful work.

Lord, guide me to faithfully accomplish Your business to Your glory, until You return.

“Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.

“You are the Lord, you alone. You have made heaven …with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them… You are the Lord, the God who chose Abraham and brought him out of Ur… You found his heart faithful before you, and made with him the covenant to give to his offspring the land… And you have kept your promise, for you are righteous.

“You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt and heard their cry at the Red Sea,.. You divided the sea before them, so that they went through on dry land, and you cast their pursuers into the depths… By a pillar of cloud you led them in the day, and by a pillar of fire in the night to light the way in which they should go. You… gave them right rules and true laws… You gave them bread from heaven for their hunger and brought water out of the rock for their thirst…

“But they acted presumptuously… and did not obey your commandments They… stiffened their neck… But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them. Even when they… committed great blasphemies, you in your great mercies did not forsake them in the wilderness… Forty years you sustained them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing…

“You gave them kingdoms and peoples and allotted to them every corner. So they took possession of the land…  So they ate and were filled and became fat and delighted themselves in your great goodness…

“When they turned and cried to you, you heard from heaven, and many times you delivered them according to your mercies…

“Now, therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love, let not all the hardship seem little to you that has come upon us… until this day. Yet you have been righteous in all that has come upon us, for you have dealt faithfully.” Nehemiah 9:5b-9,11-13,15-19,21-22,25,28,32-33

Rebuilding the wall in Jerusalem mirrored the reestablishing of Israel’s covenant with the Lord. Ezra read the Law, Nehemiah directed celebration, and the Levites led in the reading and application of God’s word. Then they prayed, confessing sin and claiming all that the Lord had done for them in the past. Based on His numberless deeds executed in mercy and love, backed by His character and divine purposes, they boldly asked that He continue His faithfulness on their behalf.

Confidence in the Lord comes from earnest communion with Him. Sin and straying impose distance, but His mercy invites us to return. Awareness of His past deeds, both hidden and obvious, breeds gratitude, and expectancy for more. When we acknowledge His greatness and sovereignty, are honest about our many affronts to His holiness, and trace His grace and power, we grow emboldened to approach anew. (Hebrews 4:16)

The Lord God abounds in steadfast love and grace. How have we experienced His continual faithfulness and ongoing redemption? Where have we seen Him deliver, guide, provide, instruct, and conquer? What is keeping us from asking confidently for this great God to do it again? (Psalm 119:90; Isaiah 14:27; Lamentations 3:22-23; Philippians 1:6)

Father, embolden me in gratitude, prayer, and expectancy, for You are great and good.

“All the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses… So [he] brought the Law before the assembly… He read from it facing the square… from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive… Ezra opened the book in the sight of the people,.. and as he opened it all the people stood. Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen,’ lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground… The Levites helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places. They read from the book clearly, and gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.

“And Nehemiah.., and Ezra.., and the Levites who taught the people said.., ‘This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.’ For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law… ‘Go your way…The joy of the Lord is your strength…’ All the people went their way… to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.” Nehemiah 8:1-3,5-10,12

“Open my eyes, that I may behold
    wondrous things out of your law.” Psalm 119:18

“Morning by morning [the Lord God] awakens;
    he awakens my ear
    to hear as those who are taught.” Isaiah 50:4

The Book of the Law was treasured among God’s people as His personal word to them. Exposure to it was life-giving, powerful in revelation, instruction, and conviction. When Ezra read it before the returned exiles to reestablish them in Jerusalem, the Levites accompanied the words with explanation so they could understand. Once they grasped the meaning and power in God’s Law, they could not help but humbly rejoice in all that had been declared. God’s rule for life brought joy to living.

Illumination opens the way for meaningful gladness. When we understand the teachings and revelations of God in His word, we are brought into deeper relationship with the Almighty. Knowing Him and obeying gets us in sync with His good will, where we enjoy abundant life. (Nehemiah 8:13-14,17-18; John 10:10; 15:5)

How committed am I to understanding what God’s word says and means? Do I settle for brief snippets of cursory reading and list-checking, or do I dig deep until the Lord speaks? Do I squelch the burning of my heart because I fear what might be exposed or required? Or do I ask the Spirit to give me full comprehension? What can I adjust in order to understand the word better, to recognize its warnings, commands, and promises? How promptly and appropriately do I respond to what I learn? (Luke 24:13-15,25-27; John 16:13-15; 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12)

Who am I helping to understand God’s word? Do I hoard the treasures for myself, or deliberately apply, display, and relay them? Who around me needs patient explanation? When we ask, the Lord gives discernment to sense curiosity, eyes to recognize desire, and joyful willingness to come alongside to help others know God through His word. (Acts 8:26-31)

Lord, as You enlighten me, help me share the joy of knowing You.

“Jesus answered, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.  Truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.  Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also… 

“’Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? “Father, save me from this hour”? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name… And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself…’

“Many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.

“And Jesus cried out.., ‘I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.'” John 12:23-28,32,42-44,46

Jesus, the Author of life, came from heaven to live to the full, fulfilling His heavenly purpose. He walked and taught among men whose ties were solely to this earth, who could not grasp a more significant accountability or higher hope. By word and example, Christ Jesus enlightened their thinking in attempt to untether them from this world and raise their desire for the next. By His death and resurrection, He opened the door to it.

The Lord Jesus came that we may have abundant life, and often in the flesh, we limit abundance to earthbound concepts. He gives fullness of life here so we’ll invest for heaven. To spend ourselves only for things here below and the glory of man leads to emptiness, where working for crowns that last and can one day be laid at Jesus’s feet, living for His sake and glory, leads to everlasting fulfillment and joy. What do we choose? Our sticking points are captivation with things of earth and thinking with the mind of man instead of God. It’s important to understand why we think and decide as we do, whom we serve, and where we amass treasure. (John 10:10; 1 John 2:15-17)

We make everyday choices based on the filters we use. When we undergo honest assessment about our motivations and priorities, we recognize an earthly mindset that values earth over heaven, transient life and treasures in the lowlands over eternal life and treasure in glory. Only by the Spirit can we reset, redirecting loves and focus. He convicts of disordered loves, and inspires redirection of mind and affection. He enables us to take thoughts captive to Christ, renew our minds and set them above, and frees us from self to love Him most. (Matthew 6:19-21; 22:37; Mark 8:33; Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 10:5; Colossians 3:1-2)

Do we love this life the Lord has given? Is this gift cherished because of temporary pleasures it affords, or the opportunities and experiences to know Christ? How will we be more heavenly-minded and earthly good, so we can lift others to the hope of heaven?

Father, help me die to things of the world and love You above all. (Galatians 2:20)

“When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.’  But Jesus said, ‘They need not go away; you give them something to eat.’ They said to him, ‘We have only five loaves here and two fish.’ And he said, ‘Bring them here to me.’ Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.  And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over.  And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.” Matthew 14:14-21

Jesus the omniscient knew every need, and was generous in meeting many of them to illustrate deeper truth about His ability to redeem, heal, and satisfy. Having spent the day expending Himself on behalf of others, He zeroed in on His inner circle to stretch their nascent faith. When He told them to feed the crowds, they resigned to impossibility: they had ‘only’ a small amount. But brought to Jesus for blessing, it was more than enough.

We have such warped perspective on the things of God. We get confused by crowds of noise and needing. We get entrenched in the world’s measurements, misplaced priorities, and the allure of wants morphed into needs. Wrapped up in demands of pressing urgencies and maintaining, we can recoil when the Lord asks something of us. Our skills, our time, our coffers are inadequate. How could we possibly meet His expectation?

The Lord is always purposeful in His commands, working in us what is pleasing and produces fruit. He knows what we need and how He will provide, and engages our faith and obedience so we experience His gracious sufficiency. We think we do not have enough, and He meets our doubts with ‘I know you don’t, but I do.’ He is constantly pushing us to see more clearly, think more loftily, trust more deeply. How are we responding to the opportunities He sets before us? (Matthew 6:7-8; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Philippians 2:13; 4:19)

What has God asked of us that we’ve turned down due to feelings of inadequacy or insufficiency? What ‘onlys’, what doubts, selfishness, fear of loss, or insecurities keep us from seizing occasions to serve and give? Where are we making excuses for disobedience, when in fact the Lord is calling us to greater faith?

The Lord is faithful to meet our limited assessments with grace and patience. At every delay and stumble, He spurs us on. When we trustingly hand over our little, He multiplies it to abundance for the good of many. For what ‘more than we can imagine’ will we trust, and thank, Him today? (Luke 6:38; Ephesians 3:20-21)

“What want shall not our God supply
From his redundant stores?
What streams of mercy from on high
An arm almighty pours!” ~Philip Doddridge (1702-1951)

Lord, take all of me, for You, Your purposes, Your glory.

“One of the scribes came up and… asked him, ‘Which commandment is the most important of all?’  Jesus answered, ‘The most important is, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” The second is this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.'” Mark 12:28-31

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.  In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another… If we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us… We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:7-12,19

The basis and source of love is God. When asked the greatest commandment, Jesus answered with the Shema, a summons to listen, take seriously, and stake our claim in God as one. ‘Pledge your faith in the one God of love, and you will understand and be able to fulfill the command.’ This God who in love saves then commands His people to love Him and others as a rightful outflow.

Love poured in becomes love poured out as we open ourselves to the Spirit’s gift. The more we understand and experience God’s love, the greater will be its force through us to others, a dynamic, living expression of our oneness and filling with Christ. Does this flow describe our ongoing practice? (John 13:34-35; 15:12; Galatians 5:22)

For love to run its course in and through us, we must remember Calvary, and claim its efficacy for our souls. Filling daily with God’s Spirit, and determining to obey these ‘greatest’ commands assures that outflow be available, ready to tap with an act of will. We then go forth, ready to spread His love abroad in the world as He has in our hearts. (Romans 5:5)

How steeped am I in the love of God? How melodious, how constant, how robust is its flow through me? Who needs a douse of Christ’s refreshing, encouraging, comforting love today, and what will I do about it?

Heart of your heart,
Apple of your eye,
In love You choose us
For intimacy.

With love You seek
And save and fill
Empowering us
To do Your will

Please turn my mind
To reciprocate love’s way
that I in you resting
Would love more today

In impulse and kindness,
In zeal and in power,
Make my heart overflow
Hour after hour

Keep filling my senses,
Your pulse be my own,
Your heartbeat my rhythm
My heart’s love Your throne

So Your love flows through me
To all whom I see,
That they would know Christ’s love
Is living in me (PEB)

Lord, run Your course of redeeming love through me where You will.

“Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” Acts 14:15-17

“The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech,
    and night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words,
    whose voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out through all the earth,
    and their words to the end of the world.” Psalm 19:1-4

“The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.  For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened… They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever!” Romans 1:18-21,25

Paul and Barnabas strode boldly into city after city, proclaiming and explaining gospel truth, rousing conviction and emotional response. In Lystra, after the Lord healed a cripple through Paul’s command, crowds began to worship them as miracle- working gods. Paul immediately exposed their foolish propensity to give homage to people and things rather than to God. He alone was the Source of all things good, animate and inanimate. He was the only One worthy of worship, adoration, and allegiance.

The witness of the Lord God- His creativity, beauty, and power- is everywhere. Outwardly obvious in the colors and systems and whimsical intricacies of nature, and inwardly evident in the exquisite harmonies in music, familial love, intellectual epiphanies, social intuition, His fingerprint is ubiquitous. As dwellers in His appointed time and space, we are accountable to respond and relay.

The vastness of the skies beckon us to bow, the beauties of His creation to praise. His wisdom and order call us to get in step, the conviction of His Spirit to reconcile. His energy and power are offered freely in answer to prayer, His love and mercies extended are ours to dispense.

How often do we contemplate the Lord’s manifold witness? Are we casual, callous, or distractedly ignorant of His bountiful display around us? Or do we hone our senses to comprehend the majesty, delight, and perfect wisdom behind all He has made, and think on how to magnify His witness? How promptly do we praise Him, acknowledging Him as the First Cause? When piqued with curious wonder, do we align our ideas and plans with His mind? With whom do we testify of His loveliness? Witness meaningfully received becomes witness clearly and powerfully communicated.

Lord, reflect and proclaim Your excellent witness in my words and deeds, to Your glory.

“As a deer pants for flowing streams,
    so pants my soul for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God,
    for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?
My tears have been my food
    day and night,
while they say to me all the day long,
    ‘Where is your God?’
These things I remember,
    as I pour out my soul:
how I would go with the throng…
with glad shouts and songs of praise…

Why are you cast down, O my soul,
    and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
    my salvation and my God.

My soul is cast down within me;
    therefore I remember you…
Deep calls to deep
    at the roar of your waterfalls;
all your breakers and your waves
    have gone over me.
By day the Lord commands his steadfast love,
    and at night his song is with me,
    a prayer to the God of my life.
I say to God, my rock:
    ‘Why have you forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning..?’
As with a deadly wound in my bones,
    my adversaries taunt me,..
    ‘Where is your God?’

Why are you cast down, O my soul,
    and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
    my salvation and my God.

Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause..,
    deliver me!
For you are the God in whom I take refuge…
Why do I go about mourning..?

Send out your light and your truth;
    let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill
    and to your dwelling!
Then I will go to the altar of God,
    to God my exceeding joy,
and I will praise you with the lyre,
    O God, my God.

Why are you cast down, O my soul,
    and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
    my salvation and my God.” Psalm 42-43

The psalmist’s song of lament flows with doleful cadence in minor key. Spiritual famine, sorrow, setbacks have served only tasteless tears night and day. Distance from God, taunts from those nearby, bones and soul ache. Yet his refrain turns the notes to spring from winter, melody lifting the shroud from shadow to light. The God who hears his mourning and receives his anguished questions is worthy of hope. This God of his salvation is worthy of praise.

The agony of lament is palpable. Borne in pain, bent downcast, a dirge may draw out long. Yet, lament to the living God need not remain in weeping or shadows, but find uplifting resolution in the perfect refrain, ‘I will yet hope, I shall again praise.’

With the Lord, there is a glorious end to every story. The Man of sorrows, well-acquainted with grief, was crucified and raised to set captives free, turn mourning to dancing, and assure the ultimate redeeming of all things. (Psalm 22:1; 30:11; Isaiah 53:3-11; Matthew 27:46)

What present pain do we bear? Loneliness, longing, fear of or shame from failure can cast down heart and soul. Would we openly, honestly lament to God, then choose to hope, not in changed circumstances, but in Him?

Father, may my every lament believe in hope and conclude with praise.

“Herod … killed James with the sword, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, arrest[ed] Peter also… He put him in prison, [under] four squads of soldiers… But earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

“Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with chains, and sentries were guarding the prison… An angel of the Lord… struck Peter and woke him, saying, ‘Get up.’ And the chain s fell off his hands… ‘Follow me.^‘ And he followed him… When they had passed the guard[s],… the iron gate leading into the city opened.., and they went out… Peter… said, ‘I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me.” Acts 12:1-11

Peter had experienced clear guidance from the Lord before, having opened the gospel to Cornelius and the Gentiles. Many came to believe and rejoice, and for his role in discipling them, he was imprisoned under threat of death. The church rallied in prayer for his deliverance, and God responded in glorious fashion. Communion with God that delivered unto salvation was also powerful to deliver from chains. (Acts 10:1-29,42-44; 11:17-18)

Connection with the Lord God through Jesus is real, and potent. God interacts with His children. He hears and answers prayer. His Spirit initiates, directs, and emboldens. He’s always accessible and translates our expressions, even when we’re unsure how to pray, to God’s perfect will. Do we value and seize the privilege of prayer? Have we by faith explored and implemented its possibilities? (Romans 8:26-27,34)

Many a day can get jumpstarted without our taking advantage of prayer. While the Lord never ceases to watch and keep His own, we miss the practice, shield, and beacon of concentrated, life-giving communion with Him. We neglect the intercession, and forego the opportunities, insight, and inspiration it affords. Prayer sharpens senses and sensibilities, hones character and conscience. It awakens us to beseech God for great things, and gives eyes to see them unfold. It secures the Spirit’s armor and fills with security and expectation. (Ephesians 6:10-18; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:17)

From what bondage to fear, shame, regret, wrong thinking do we need release? What needs weigh heavily, what grief smothers? When will we regularly take time and attention to pray for ourselves, God’s people, His will on earth? He stands ready to deliver and do all things well.

“What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer!

Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge–
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there.” ~Joseph Scriven (1855)

Lord, keep me on my knees and about my hours in earnest, joyful expectancy, praying without ceasing for Your will and glory.

“Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. And he said in the presence of his brothers and the army of Samaria, ‘What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that?’ Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, ‘Yes, what they are building—if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!^‘ Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders.

“So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.

“But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs, the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.” Nehemiah 4:1-9

Nehemiah had returned to Jerusalem from captivity to rebuild with King Artaxerxes’ blessing. But not all were so supportive. Almost immediately the Jews met resistance cruel and conniving. With mind and heart saturated in the character and power of God, Nehemiah was able to lead his people to oppose every type of opposition Sanballat spit and threatened. He would not succumb. His God imbued purpose, identity, and strength to do what the enemy taunted was impossible. (Nehemiah 1:4-11; 2:1-8,17-20)

The enemy of God and His children is wiley and vociferous in his craft. His aim is to undermine purpose, steal identity, kill confidence, destroy vision, deceive from truth, extinguish hope. He opposes God’s will in every way and is relentless in subverting the righteous efforts of His people. (John 8:44; 10:10; 1 Peter 5:8)

But our God is greater, more than a match for his cruelty and force. Where the devil accuses of feeble plans, the Lord imparts might and certain ends. Where he disparages holy commitment and reverence, God delights to receive them. Where he questions and subverts noble goals, the Lord enables with possibility and perseverance. God gives the mind to work with passion and prudence, and fights for His own. (Nehemiah 4:10-21; 1 John 4:4)

What present opposition seems overwhelming? Has the world dampened spiritual fervor, blurred vision, or infected desires? Has discouragement dampened resolve or squelched obedience? Is fear, shame, or niggling regret tripping up spiritual progress? The Lord God opposes every opposition with perfection, power, and victory.

“The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo! his doom is sure.” ~Martin Luther (1529)

Lord, against every opposition, help me stand firm on Your victorious side.