As the people in Jerusalem (those rebuilding its wall in the time of Nehemiah) were getting discouraged, we find Nehemiah stepping up. Nehemiah is a practical man of faith. He trusts God and he relies on God, but he also puts wise plans into action.
Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” Nehemiah 4:13-14 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/neh.4.13-14.NIV
Nehemiah continues to take practical steps to defend the city, especially at the weak points, but he also speaks to the people with two key reminders:
- First, God is able to protect them.
- Secondly, they should fight for what is important to them: their families and their homes.
In light of Nehemiah’s example, do you know anyone around you who is discouraged today? Maybe they need the same reminders: that God has more than enough ability to help them achieve His plan, and that they need to remember what is most important in their lives.
I think that the teachers in our congregation’s Kids Ministry might qualify for this. I suspect that they get tired after a while, feeling like the kids are just too rambunctious, or that they never listen. These teachers need to be reminded that God is able to help them through and achieve great things through their efforts, but they also need to be reminded why they do what they do: the immense value of a child’s soul is worth a great amount of effort to lead him or her to Jesus Christ.
The same could be said of pastors, missionaries, elders, and church leaders. I think that it’s also important for each of us who just feels worn out some days when we continue to try and do the right things, whether as part of a formal ministry, or just being the hands and feet of Jesus to others.
I like that Nehemiah says “remember” in verse 14. He doesn’t ask the people to “just trust him” that God can protect or rescue them. Instead, he invites them to remember that God has actually done so…repeatedly!
This is part of our testimony – our story about personal experiences with God. We don’t just tell people what God has done in our lives as a good story. We do so to provide them with more and more evidence that God is who He has revealed Himself to be: both from the Bible and through His work in our world. This provides incentive for those who don’t know Jesus Christ yet to trust Him, but it is also encouragement for those who already follow Jesus (especially those who are feeling like they aren’t up to the work that God has given them).
So, if you’re not sure what to do for your friends that are discouraged (both those who know Jesus Christ, and those who do not), consider sharing a testimony about the challenges that God has gotten you – and others – through. This doesn’t have to be a formal presentation about how you came to salvation (although that’s certainly a good thing to share). Just tell people what difference God has made in your life. Of course, this must be done at the right time (and not as a patronizing over-simplification of what your friend is going through), but a reminder of God’s faithfulness, as testified by you, might be just what someone needs today for some encouragement. (And, don’t be afraid to offer tangible help, as well.)
From Sunday School lesson prepared for February 12, 2023
References:
- The Lookout, February 12, 2023, © 2022 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – Ezra-Nehemiah, by Keith Schoville. © 2001 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 