Strengthen Our Hands

“…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... They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, ‘Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.’ But I prayed, ‘Now strengthen my hands.’” (Nehemiah 6:3, 9)

Let’s take a look at these verses and what they might mean for 21^st century Christians. First, here’s a bit of context: Nehemiah the Israelite was a servant of the King of Persia, who at that time ruled over Israel. Learning that the walls of Jerusalem were crumbling, Nehemiah asked for and received permission to take charge of rebuilding the walls and making the people safe from attack.

By this point in the story, Nehemiah's work was almost finished, and his enemies were getting worried. They tried to distract him from his work with offers and invitations. When Nehemiah turned down their requests they changed tactics, attempting to discourage the workers by telling them the job was too difficult and could never be finished.

But Nehemiah ignored them again, instead calling on God to strengthen him and bless his work. Can you see how this might have application today? These days, it’s easy to distract ourselves from the work we should be doing, even without spiritual or physical enemies plotting against us.

We can find something on TV or the Internet to fill our time, or give in to discouragement or despair, thinking, “How can we ever hope to eliminate a disease as widespread as leprosy? Come on, be realistic.” When that happens, believers need to just put their heads down, focus on the vital work to be done, and call on the Lord as Nehemiah did.

How would our lives be different if every time we faced distraction or discouragement, we prayed, “Oh Lord, strengthen my hands!” instead? You are “carrying on a great project” through your partnership with AIM. This is no time to lay down our tools.

Strengthen our hands, Lord!

--Russ Sharrock

                                                                      -------------------------

“When a Christian shuns fellowship with other Christians, the devil smiles.  When he stops studying the Bible, the devil laughs.  When he stops praying, the devil shouts for joy." - Corrie ten Boom

 

           

Asia International Mission is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) non-profit ministry. 

All gifts are tax-deductible and 100% of donations are used as designated