I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down (Nehemiah 6:3).
The book of Nehemiah offers great inspiration as we look into the life of this diligent servant of God. Nehemiah’s work ethic, focus, and dedication to the work of God are unquestioned as he remains faithful through threats and much opposition. You and I also will be challenged as we put our hands to the work the Lord has given us to do.
Let us now take courage, as did Nehemiah, when we face hard trials in our daily service to Jesus Christ. As we read these few verses from the book of Nehemiah, we will be strengthened as was Nehemiah. “Now it happened when Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall, and that there were no breaks left in it […] that Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, ‘Come, let us meet together among the villages in the plain of Ono.’ But they thought to do me harm. So I sent messengers to them, saying, ‘I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?’” (Nehemiah 6:1-3). It is not arrogance to recognize the qualitative greatness of the work the Lord has given us to do. Nehemiah states, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down.” We should never leave the work of God to answer false charges against the Lord or us.
The words of the Apostle Paul, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed” find a place in this brief passage from the book of Nehemiah (2 Timothy 2:15). Let us not compromise, lose focus, be distracted, or give in to our own weariness, so that we are not ashamed at His coming.
The Lord Jesus, in His high priestly prayer, said to the Father, “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do” (John 17:4). What we see in Nehemiah is amplified in the eternal work of the Lord Jesus! I ask you to join me and our faithful brothers and sisters from around the globe in bringing glory to God by finishing the work He has given us to do.