Let me see… How do you stop a steam roller? Ah yes! Threaten it! “You just think you’re the biggest steam roller around? We’ll see about that!” The steam roller keeps on going. If that doesn’t work, just stand right in front of it, that should do it, right?
How do you stop the plans and purposes of the Creator of heaven and earth? You don’t. One of my favorite passages in the English translation of the Old Testament is right here in Nehemiah 6. Sanballat and Tobiah invite Nehemiah to a conference in the plans of Ono. While the Hebrew may mean “Vigorous” the serendipity of the sound of the Hebrew in English ears gives us a sneak peek at their real intentions and Nehemiah’s answer to come: oh no, I won’t go. I will not stop the work of the Lord to quibble with you about rumors and power struggles. The walls rebuilt, the plans moved ahead to rebuild and resettle Jerusalem.
How do you stop the spread of the story of Jesus? Magicians and wizards and demons and jails and threats and death — nothing stands in the way of the gospel and the promises sealed by the resurrection of Jesus!
Sometimes we fear that the culture around us will snuff out the gospel, extinguish morals and decency. One very powerful comment in Nehemiah, Neh. 4:6, 9 instructs and encourages us: the people had a mind to work; we prayed… and set a guard. Rather than fear the powers of this realm, set your mind to do the will of God, pray to Him and set a double guard, Phil. 4:7, the guard of God for His people and the guard of your heart, mind, and abilities to live faithfully in the present age. Titus 2:12.
Prayer: Holy, Righteous Father: I have promised to be faithful. In the power of your Holy Spirit, I commit my life to Your will today. All within me says, “Yes!” to You. May I broaden and build the path for You to work in my life and the lives of others. In Jesus name, thank You!