The Tug Of Persistent Distractions dives into the story of Nehemiah and how he stood firm against the distractions the enemy was trying to scheme. Not only did he stand firm against the but he called on God to give him strength. Because his trust was in the faithfulness of God, not in himself.
This week will challenge you to ask God to reveal to you the things that are persistently distracting you from Him and all He is trying to do in and through you.
Nehemiah's Distraction Story:
- Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates), 2 Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm. 3 And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” 4 And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner. 5 In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. 6 In it was written, “It is reported among the nations, and Geshem also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king. 7 And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem, ‘There is a king in Judah.’ And now the king will hear of these reports. So now come and let us take counsel together.”8 Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind.” 9 For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God,strengthen my hands. 10 Now when I went into the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home, he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple. Let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you. They are coming to kill you by night.” 11 But I said, “Should such a man as I run away? And what man such as I could go into the temple and live? I will not go in.” 12 And I understood and saw that God had not sent him, but he had pronounced the prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 For this purpose he was hired, that I should be afraid and act in this way and sin, and so they could give me a bad name in order to taunt me.14 Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, according to these things that they did, and also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who wanted to make me afraid.
Nehemiah Trusted God:
- In 6:9 you see at the end that Nehemiah not only trusted God but called on Him to "strengthen his hands".
- He hadn't forgotten all God had been faithful in prior.
- He trusted God's heart for him.
What is Persistently Distracting You?
- Sin issues // unseen sin issues
- Health issues
- Family issues
- Friendship issues
How Do We Stop Getting Distracted and Persistently Pursue Christ?:
- We get serious about God's word and realize it is not a book of suggestions.
- We ask The Lord to help us with our priorities.
- We get honest with God about where our hearts are and lament to Him.
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