🕊️ PRAY HERE Devotion 🕊️ Keep Up the Good Work

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:2-3 (KJV)

“That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.

And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?”

Devotion: Have you ever been doing something good and had someone criticize you, discourage you, or even try to stop you?

Whew!

It makes you wonder,

“Why are they bothered by me doing something that helps people?”

I have learned something over the years.

Whenever people are trying to stop you from doing good, you can be sure the enemy is at work.

A fellow believer who is walking with God would never want to stop someone from praying for people, feeding the hungry, sharing the Gospel, encouraging others, or helping those in need.

A person with good intentions doesn’t fight against good works.

Let’s make this practical.

Maybe God has called you to start a Bible study, but someone keeps telling you,

“Nobody is going to come.”

Or perhaps you finally decided to get your life together, leave a toxic relationship, stop drinking, stop gossiping, or become serious about your walk with Christ, and suddenly the very people you used to spend time with start making fun of you or trying to pull you back.

Whewww!

Don’t let people who are comfortable staying the same stop you from becoming who God is calling you to be.

Now let’s look at today’s scripture.

Jerusalem had experienced destruction, shame, and great distress.

Its walls had been torn down and burned with fire, leaving God’s people vulnerable and unprotected.

When Nehemiah heard this heartbreaking news, his first response wasn’t panic—it was prayer and fasting. (Nehemiah 1:3-4)

Then God placed a burden on his heart to rebuild the wall.

Jerusalem’s dignity needed to be restored.

The people needed protection.

God had given Nehemiah a purpose.

But as soon as the work began…

The opposition showed up.

Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem, and the surrounding governors mocked him, threatened him, lied about him, and constantly tried to distract him.

Why?

Because they wanted Jerusalem to remain weak.

Some simply didn’t want to see God’s people prosper.

My, my, my!

Doesn’t that sound familiar?

The enemy doesn’t mind when we talk about doing something.

He gets nervous when we actually start doing it.

Whewww!

By the time we reach today’s scripture, Nehemiah has had enough of the distractions.

When they invited him to leave the work and meet with them, he recognized their true intentions.

They weren’t trying to help him…

They were trying to stop him.

His response was powerful:

“I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down.”

Whew!

What a statement!

Nehemiah knew what God had called him to do, and he refused to climb down from his assignment just because someone else didn’t like it.

Today, think about the good work God has started in you.

Maybe you’re finally becoming faithful in prayer.

Maybe you’ve started reading your Bible every day.

Maybe you’re serving at your church.

Maybe you’ve begun sharing your testimony.

Maybe God has called you to start that ministry, write that book, encourage people online, or simply become a better husband, wife, parent, or friend.

Don’t come down.

Don’t stop because someone laughed.

Don’t stop because someone criticized you.

Don’t stop because the work became difficult.

Keep building.

Keep praying.

Keep serving.

Keep loving.

Keep witnessing.

Because what God has called you to build is worth finishing.

Today, I want to leave you with Nehemiah’s words.

When distractions come…

When criticism comes…

When opposition comes…

Tell yourself,

“I am doing a great work. I cannot come down.”

God bless you!

Reflection

What good work has God called you to do that you’ve been tempted to stop because of opposition, discouragement, or distraction?

Don’t quit.

Finish what God started in you.

Prayer: Father God, thank You for giving me purpose and good works to do for Your glory. Strengthen me when I become discouraged or when others try to distract me from what You have called me to do. Just as You strengthened Nehemiah, strengthen my hands for the work before me. Lord, hear me when I feel despised or discouraged. Do not allow the plans of those who oppose Your work to prosper. Turn every attack, insult, distraction, and scheme of the enemy into an opportunity for Your glory to be revealed. Give me wisdom to recognize distractions, courage to stay focused, and perseverance to finish what You have called me to do. Help me never come down from my assignment because of fear, criticism, or opposition. May I remain faithful until the work is complete. Thank You for fighting my battles while I remain obedient to You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen 🙏🏼🕊️