Back to Nehemiah

I'm so stoked this week to get back to Nehemiah! So excited! (Grin)

Some of you may think that this is going to be a "re-hash" of things we have discussed before.....why? Because in chapter four, we meet a nasty character called Sanballat -- and he has just one purpose in mind -- to throw up as many obstacles and roadblocks for Nehemiah and the team as he possibly can!
We've talked before about opposition, but I'm not the least bit bored! I think the Spirit has a reason for pointing us in this direction again -- we may have some resolutions and goals that are worrisome to the devil. He may get upset with us and try to stop us. And the Spirit wants us to be ready!

Let's dive in!
Think back along the pathway of your life. Take a few minutes. Do you recall any people who stand out in your mind, simply because of the opposition that they presented to you? They were super-negative; they placed obstacles in your path; they didn't help remove any obstacles; etc., etc., etc.
You can think of at least one person who fits that description, yes?
Well, Nehemiah has more than one person; we'll meet Sanballat in the chapter we focus on this week. (Oh, by the way, please be sure to add the fourth chapter of Nehemiah to your Bible reading today or tomorrow, OK? Thanks!)
We all have people like that in our lives. Sometimes they are purposeful in their opposition and sometimes they are well-intentioned. What do I mean? Well, take for example the parents of Igor Sikorsky.
Who?
Igor Sikorsky.
The man whose name became synonymous with another word, "helicopter." Igor was born in Kiev in 1889 to parents of great learning: his dad was a physician and professor of psyhcology, and his mom was a physician, as well. His mother was fascinated with the life and work of Leonardo da Vinci, and her son's interest must have been piqued by da Vinci's early drawings and experiments with flying machines -- so much so that when Igor was twelve, he constructed a tiny helicopter that could rise in the air.
His parents, however, cautioned him that competent authorities had already proved human flight impossible. After a stint in academia and some time spent tinkering (along with personal contacts with the Wright brothers and others who dreamed of flight, Sikorsky decided that "straight up" as da Vinci had suggested, was the way to go. His first two machines failed. It would take emigrating to America, inventing biplanes and airplanes, and the passage of thirty years to make his vision a reality. Finally, in 1939, with its designer at the controls, the first Sikorsky helicopter lifted off, and in 1941 he established an endurance record of one hour and thirty-two seconds of flight!
Sikorsky may not have fully envisioned the development and usefulness of his helicopters at the time, but in the ensuing years they have been used for military, commercial, medical, and disaster relief applications. In the plant where his copters were produced, he hung this sign:

 "According to recognized aerotechnical tests, the bumblebee cannot fly because of the shape and weight of his body in relation to the total wing area. The bumblebee does not know this, so he goes ahead and flies anyway."

I believe that Nehemiah would have really liked that sign! He would have given it an enthusiastic thumbs up!  Both the story of Nehemiah and the tale of Igor Sikorsky show us that we can accomplish things in spite of nay-sayers.
And, more importantly, the story of Nehemiah shows that whenever we try to accomplish something for the Lord, we will face strong opposition. The devil doesn't worry about people who are "half-hearted" or who are content with a ho-hum and ordinary spiritual life. But when we get on fire for God, look out! Satan (his name means adversary, ya know!) is committed to opposing God and His people -- especially when His people are eager and zealous to exalt God and give Him glory!

This is a spiritual truth on a personal level, as well as a congregational one. Personally, as long as we live with one foot in the world, so to speak, Satan won't trouble us. If we are living according to the world's values, and we are working toward the world's goals, he won't worry about us. We can go to church; we can pray; we can read our Bible -- the devil won't mind. But the minute we wake up from our spiritual slumber, shake off the mindset of the world, and commit ourselves to obedience to Christ, we will experience opposition!

This applies to church groups, their leaders, and to ministry efforts, too. Whenever godly leaders try to rally God's people to work, to advance the kingdom, and to give glory to God, Satan will hit and hit hard.
Satan actually couldn't care any less about churches who gather to sing lovely hymns and hear soothing sermons from smiling speakers about how to use the Bible to achieve personal success in this world. (Sorry, world, I know I just stepped on some toes there, but that's how I roll when the Spirit emboldens me.) These churches are no threat to the devil. But when a pastor preaches the gospel; when he tells sinners of their sin and the Savior Who can redeem them; when he points them to the cross -- look out! When the pastor tells the people that they must live holy lives -- look out! When the pastor tells the people they must help reach others who are waiting to hear the gospel -- look out!

Please read the fourth chapter of Nehemiah today, or perhaps tomorrow, depending on when you are studying here. Then hang on! Away we go!