DAY 4: A SMOOTH START

In yesterday’s reading, we discussed poor choices that seemed like good ideas at the time. We often believe these “good ideas” to be good because everything runs smoothly when we start. When a plan comes together without hassle or hindrance, it is easy to believe that God’s hand is in it. We do not hesitate to call these seasons of success “meant to be”, sharing our testimonies with all who are willing to listen. Until it turns into a disaster. Then we start wondering if God tricked us into following a specific path. Perhaps to teach us a lesson or to punish us later. Or perhaps we just did not hear Him correctly.

In the Bible, the start of Nehemiah’s project to restore Jerusalem’s wall was nothing less than miraculous. When Nehemiah approached King Artaxerxes with his plan, everything fell into place (Nehemiah 2). The king said yes to every single request of Nehemiah. He got time off to do the project, guaranteed safe travels to get there, plus all the timber he needed to complete it. God was blessing his plans! “And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me” (v. 8, NLT). And then the trouble started.

The first headwinds hit Nehemiah just as he started the building project. Mockery and threats from Sanballat and his peers cast a shadow of doubt on the people. “The Jews who lived near the enemy came and told us again and again, ‘They will come from all directions and attack us!’” (Nehemiah 4:12, NLT). And it got tougher and tougher from there. Soon people started struggling financially. Some even sold their children into slavery to survive (Nehemiah 5:5, NLT). Nehemiah himself was not spared, he did not see a “salary” for twelve years (v. 14). Where was God’s hand now? Was this project perhaps not from Him?

But Nehemiah did not waver. He knew that the enemy wins when God’s people start panicking and following their own minds. “Then I pressed further, ‘What you are doing is not right! Should you not walk in the fear of our God in order to avoid being mocked by enemy nations?’” (Nehemiah 5:9, NLT). And that is exactly what happened when the wall was completed in record time. “So on October 2 the wall was finished - just fifty-two days after we had begun. When our enemies and the surrounding nations heard about it, they were frightened and humiliated. They realized this work had been done with the help of our God” (Nehemiah 6:15-16, NLT).

God’s hand is never more visible than when He beats the odds. Just because something becomes difficult, does not mean that it is against his will. The Bible tells us on many occasions that everything will not always go smoothly. “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow” (James 1:2-3, NLT).

Let us keep trusting God when assignments from God become difficult. Let us not doubt his words. He will never fail you. “But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind (James 1:6, NLT). “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” (v. 12).

Scripture readings:

Proverbs 20:24

Nehemiah 1:11

Nehemiah 2:1-8

Nehemiah 5:9-19

Nehemiah 6:15-16

James 1:2-15