There's Hope For TodaySample

Great purposes are often thwarted by petty issues.

Our adversary works first to distract, and then to destroy. Just about the time Nehemiah’s project reached critical mass, his enemies launched their final offensive. It started with a desire for Nehemiah’s attention. “Come, let us meet together,” said Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem. The walls of Jerusalem had been raised from the rubble. Only the gates remained unset. In this “almost, but not quite” setting, the enemies of Israel made a last desperate move to stop the work. Whenever we are growing spiritually and accomplishing the work of God’s Kingdom, the enemy of our souls will go to extreme measures to get our eyes off Jesus. Some minor irritation will suddenly become a troublesome boil. A thousand “urgencies” will rush in on the four winds. A long-settled conflict will suddenly find new life.

If we are not on guard we will delay obedience, depart God’s pathway, and involve ourselves in lesser things while great things are abandoned. Learn a lesson from Nehemiah. He would not “come down” from a great work to deal with a devilish distraction.

Stay focused on Christ’s great cause, lest your labors be wasted and the victory lost.