Keep Standing

One of the most challenging things that we all face when going through tough times is to hang on! The issue of 'hanging on' through the tough times is not so much an issue about external pressures but is more about holding on to hope. Paul writes in Galatians "let us not grow weary while doing good for in due season we shall reap a harvest if we do not lose heart." (Gal.6:9) When we lose heart we lose hope.


You can set out to 'do good' but encounter opposition along the way. Nehemiah wanted to do good for his home city that had been ravaged. He and a small group of supporters set about to rebuild the broken walls and to repair the gates of the city of Jerusalem. They declared "let us arise and build". Over the next 52 days they rebuilt the walls and the gates of their city. However almost as soon as they started, they encountered voices of opposition. Perhaps the most common negative voice that we hear on the inside is the voice of doubt. "Did God really say that...???" Satan will seek to divert you away from who God says you are and what He commissions you to do. Nehemiah responded to the voices of doubt and mockery by declaring that "the God of heaven will prosper us and therefore his servants will arise and build..." (Neh.2:20)


Nehemiah positioned himself internally with the mindset that God was for him and that God had called him to 'do good'. This same truth is the greatest defence against the voice of doubt. He was able to deal with the voices of mockery, distraction and envy.  When you decide to do good and the voice of doubt follows, hold on to the first voice, that is the voice of His leading. The second voice, the voice of doubt is easily discerned because it never builds. It always doubts.


Nehemiah positioned his workforce so that they could be alert to threats and at the same time keep on building. We need to learn to become 'ambidextrous' - sword in one hand and trowel in the other. The sword speaks of knowing and exercising our authority in Christ - standing in His authority. The trowel speaks of using the tools that we have at our disposal to make a difference in our community. Interesting, every person, every family every occupational group regardless of status, was positioned around the city boundaries and its gates. They arose and built together. They had a common cause.


Opposition can grow you when you know that God is for you and that you already have victory through Jesus Christ. Opposition can cause us to become more alert and resilient. The God of heaven will prosper you. He will grow you in the face of opposition. The key is to embrace who you are in Christ. Jesus was tempted by Satan to abandon His commission that was to become the sin bearer of broken humanity but He knew His Father's voice above every other voice. He knew that He was the "beloved Son in whom I was well pleased". (Mat.3:17) Nothing would stop Him from doing good!! Be encouraged. Don't lose heart. You too, are greatly loved!












This blog is based on a message called "Keep Standing" by Ross Smith at The Vine Church, Logan City, Queensland, Australia on 15/11/15. The full message can be accessed by podcast from www.thevine.org.au/teaching.