If you've ever been in a boat on a stream or river you have discovered if you are trying to head upstream, you must keep paddling. If you stop, you don't stay at the same place, you drift backwards. This is true of many things in life. Quit exercising and get out of shape. Quit practicing and your skills deteriorate. Maybe this is especially true in the Christian life. Quit actively working on developing your relationship with your Heavenly Father and you will soon find you have drifted backwards. What you will be amazed at is how quickly it happens. The Israelites discovered this as we conclude this recounting in the book of Nehemiah.
