Life will inevitably present challenges and doubts that may tempt us to believe we are incapable. These feelings can arise from internal struggles, external voices, or physical limitations that hinder our ability to embrace God’s plan fully. Whether these obstacles are self-imposed or caused by others, God calls on us to trust Him. When we surrender our burdens to Him, we can overcome any obstacle, for no human ill-will can derail the divine plans God has for us just as Jesus reminded the disciples, even the stones will cry out if we fail to proclaim God’s message.

Nehemiah undoubtedly needed unwavering faith, as the jeering and opposition persisted even with the king’s mandate. Surrounding people continued to plot against the rebuilding project, their cries growing louder as they attempted to halt the work. They claimed the task was insurmountable for so few people and even threatened violence to stop them. However, the people remained steadfast with God’s guidance, relying on divine strength to rebuild the walls despite the opposition.

15 When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work. 16 From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, 17 who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. 18 And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me. 19 And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another. 20 In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ne 4:15–20.

One key to overcoming opposition is to prepare yourself for potential challenges continuously. The people did not let their guard down when Nehemiah’s enemies’ plot was discovered and thwarted. They continued to work on the wall, armed and ready for potential attacks. This demonstrates the importance of being prepared and vigilant, even when things are going well. We cannot stop working; instead, we must keep praying and preparing for God’s work, which will align us to overcome the next obstacle. No path is perfectly smooth, and just because we have experienced God’s intervention, it doesn’t alleviate the necessity of following God’s guidance. This means preparing our bodies, minds, and souls to overcome anything that might arise in our path.

God calls us to lean on each other to fulfill our shared service mission. None of us are called to carry out God’s work alone. In the Jerusalem community, we see a coordinated effort of builders, with half working on construction and half standing guard. The leaders played a crucial role in supporting and organizing the workers, demonstrating that order and unity are essential tools for effective service and overcoming all obstacles in our path and the paths of each other. God is calling you to lighten the burden of your fellow followers. Ask yourself, “Where can I stand in the gap for my fellow worker?” Each of us has a unique role to play, and by working together with unity and organization, we can become a thriving community of faith that embodies care and support for one another.

The most important tool in our attempt to carry out God’s mission and overcome obstacles is remembering that our faith in God will carry us through our difficulties. Despite the ongoing threat of attack, the people of Jerusalem remained confident in God’s ability to protect them. Through faith, they proclaimed, “Our God will fight for us.” We need to strengthen our faith, which will lead us to a place where we lean more upon God and will not be deterred by obstacles or swayed by people trying to lead us astray. Through a deeper understanding of God’s Word, a robust prayer life, and regular fellowship with God’s people, we find the framework for growth in our faith.

Nehemiah’s story demonstrates that, through the power of God, no obstacle is insurmountable. However, we are not passive observers in this process. God invites us to actively participate and grow through overcoming challenges. This participation requires preparation for the unknown and a commitment to growth. Remember, working for God is a collaborative effort, and supporting one another is essential. Ultimately, these experiences should deepen our faith, driving us to cultivate habits that strengthen our relationship with God and empower us to fulfill His mission.

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Published by JRMITCH85

I am often asked what describes you, which is a hard answer because sometimes I move in a thousand different directions. Some call me an engineer, others call me pastor, a few call me captain, some call me friend, others call me dad, and one calls me sweetheart. All of these things are descriptors and are accurate, but they don't fully capture me. My favorite place is in the mountains, enjoying the beauty of nature and God's creation, running and hiking around with my family and friends, and taking photos to cement the memories. However, the people that know me the best know that my favorite thing to do is come up with crazy adventures that push the limits of what our minds and bodies can do. My faith in God is important to me and drives me to look at creation the way I do. Because of my faith, I look at these adventures and running races from Half Marathons all the way to 24 hour races, as well as several Obstacle Course Races, as an opportunity to push the body God gave me as an act of worship. Hopefully, someday soon, I look toward running longer races and bigger adventures. My hope is that humanity can understand that the wild is a gift, and we need to care for it and quit destroying it by the way we live.

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