Well, today is National Heroes Day here in the Bahamas. It is the day we look back and honor those men and women who have made significant contributions to our nation. It could be in education, defense, politics, government, innovation or business. Generally, such honorees have been focused, committed to the cause they pursued, and succeeded against the odds.
Nehemiah was also a man committed to a cause and with a single focus – building the wall of Jerusalem. Nothing would deter him from the task. In fact, the closer he got to completing what God called him to do, the harder the enemy fought to stop him. They sought to discourage, distract and discredit him.
Here is what Nehemiah said:
When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it — though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates. Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono…” But they were scheming to harm me; 3 so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?”
The enemy’s strategy was to distract him from his mission and harm him. But, Nehemiah stayed focused on the”great project” and refused to give in and be distracted.
When you attempt to do what God wants, there will be detractors and distractions which will seek get you off course. Sometimes the distractions will be obvious – too much time checking email, watching too much television, or playing games on our phone. Other times they will be more subtle and detrimental. Sometimes even good things can distract you from your mission, if you’re not careful.
So when you’re on the wall doing what God has called you to do and distractions come,(big or small) respond like Nehemiah: “I’m NOT coming down”!
Read: Nehemiah 6:1- 3
