Remember that Set-Backs are God's Opportunities
Part 7 on Discouragement
by Marsha Iddings
Nehemiah 2:2-3 Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid, and said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?
Nehemiah was discouraged because he wanted to see the rebuilding of
Do you ever feel like this? I know I have. Sometimes it seems my efforts to keep the house and property up go in reverse as my time is limited and my physical reserves don't seem to go very far. I find myself feeling discouraged with my efforts at home schooling when I look at other home school families and see all they are accomplishing compared to what we have done. There are also the physical set-backs that slow us down from time to time.
God had a plan and He used Nehemiah to organize the people to rebuild the wall. Once the wall was rebuilt they found the law of God and gathered all the people to hear it read and to give thanks to God. Nehemiah 9:3 says, "And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God." What seemed like a big setback to Nehemiah turned out to be a big blessing as God helped him and the people to rebuild the wall and then renew their commitment to God through the reading of the law of God.
Remember that set-backs are opportunities for God to show His faithfulness and power in our lives. Nehemiah wanted to rebuild the wall, but God used this to bring a renewed commitment to Himself among his people. Next time you have a set-back, look forward to how God will use this to show His faithfulness and power in your life.
Dear Father, It seems that difficulties are Your specialty. You delight to show your power and faithfulness through the seemingly impossible situations of our lives. Help us to not be discouraged, but to be expectantly waiting and watching for You to work. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
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