SCRIPTURE: Nehemiah 6-10
All of them were trying to frighten us. They thought, “Their hands will get too weak to do the work. So it won’t be completed. But I prayed to God. I said, “Make my hands stronger.” (Nehemiah 6:9)
Discouragement, distraction, deception, despair… tactics of the enemy to keep us from doing God’s work.
Whenever we commit to something – dieting, exercise, praying more, reading the bible, managing time better, resisting temptation, volunteering, being more generous, etc. – we encounter spiritual resistance.
Voices in our head, or from people around us, setbacks, people letting us down, inadequate resources, gloomy feelings, failure (our own or others), lack of energy… so many things deflate us and defeat us.
But I prayed to God. I said, “Make my hands stronger.”
When we know what is going on, when we know who it is that is attempting to defeat us, when we see spiritual warfare for what it is, we can turn to God for the strength we need.
God, do not let the enemy beat me in this, do not let the enemy win.
Make my hands stronger, make my heart bolder, make my determination greater, make my spirit confident.
What should we say then? Since God is on our side, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)
Refuse to be beaten today, pray this prayer with Nehemiah: Make my hands stronger!!!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
God, my day was going well at first. I was strong, I was bold, I was determined… and then I got out of bed. Make my hands stronger, and keep me from being discouraged and defeated!
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
Observation/Application
Our plans/hands are strengthened only by the Lord. Our work needs to be done and I need to realize that all of what I do or have done is a blessing of the Lord God who is my Strength and Help.
Whose plans do I carry out out – my own or the Lord’s? What is God’s plan for my life? What plans has He laid upon my heart? This can only be found out by the reading of His Word and talking with my God. Lead me and guide me Lord this day in Your Way.
How do I listen to the Word/Law of the Lord? How long is my time spent in His Word? Do I hear Him speaking in the Way? Am I in tune? How attentive are my ears? How attentive am I?
Have Thine own Way Lord.
Only in this Way can my joy be enjoyed in joy.
Nothing is hid from my God. I am transparent in His presence. I need to praise Him in all I do and say. And on this day I must realize that You bless me on my way this day giving ‘life’ – meaning to all what I do this day of the Lord. Continue to lead and guide me by Your presence. You are my All in all. My I never a stiff necked person insisting on my own way. Help me daily to be be Your champion and follow You in the Way. Help me to be faithful and true and walk in Your ‘Sonshine’. Help me daily to be a living ‘epistle’ living in Your Way always.
Prayer
Lord, help me daily to put You first. Help me to walk in Your Sonshine always. lead me and guide me by Your Spirit in the Way also today.
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.
I love the determination in this story! Distractions come, but are easily deflected with God’s help. I still allow myself to get on the emotion roller coaster, and often fret and fear and vent and THEN seek God’s help instead of doing so right away. Lord, thank you for this great reminder, and I pray that you would strengthen my hands today.