Nehemiah's Testimony

Nehemiah has many enemies who are always trying to stop him from doing the Lord’s work (Neh 4:7). But he was both persistent and dedicated in his service to continue building the wall (Neh 2:18). He stands as a great testimony of what a true servant of God is all about (1 Cor 16:13). The enemy will always try to get God’s faithful servants to quit (2 Cor 4:8). Regardless of the situation, we should neither let our "hands be weak" (2 Chr 15:7), nor come down from the place that God has called us to occupy. Nehemiah was called to do a “great work."

The Lord's work is always a great work, because we are called "unto good works" (Eph 2:10)! We must remain "stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord" (1 Cor 15:58). Even though our enemy is relentlessly trying to cause us to fail (1 Pet 5:8), we must never quit (Gal 6:9)! God’s work is just too great for us to abandon! If Nehemiah were to come down from the wall, it would mean that he had to step down. When we quit from doing God's work, we are also walking away from the path of "His righteousness" (Mt 6:33). God’s call is for us to finish our "course with joy, and the ministry" (Acts 20:24), while faithfully carrying out His commands (2 Tim 4:7). Quitting is compromising! We need to hold on to what is right (Ps 119:3), even if we are standing alone (1 Thes 5:21)! Nehemiah’s example and leadership were being watched by many.

His testimony would have been ruined if he had stepped down, and God’s people would have been discouraged in doing His work! May God help us to be good examples to the next generation of young believers (1 Thes 1:7), who are keenly observing us! We should never become a "stumblingblock to them that are weak" (1 Cor 8:9). The people outside Jerusalem were also observing Nehemiah’s credibility. Christians, "we are ambassadors for Christ" (2 Cor 5:20). Therefore, let us maintain a good testimony and work faithfully 'til Jesus comes! God bless you!

-Pastor Melito Barrera