Codes for Christian Living
Stay On Track
But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they laughed at us and despised us, and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel against the king?” So I answered them, and said to them, “The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no heritage or right or memorial in Jerusalem.”
—NEHEMIAH 2:19–20
Nehemiah was successful in large part because of one word: focus. He stayed on track. When we are in the rebuilding process, there will always be those who appear on the scene in an orchestrated attempt to divert us and get us off track. Once the task of rebuilding the wall had begun, Nehemiah was immediately confronted with a group of negative individuals who did their best to divert his focus.
Nehemiah had a goal that was clearly defined. So, like a fighter pilot, he locked in on his target of rebuilding and focused on staying on track. Those who dedicate themselves to the task of rebuilding learn early on that they cannot and will not please everyone. Sadly, there are some who simply get comfortable living in and around their own ruins.
Nehemiah’s example lays out some important steps for us to follow that will enable us to stay on track. First, keep your eyes on the Lord Jesus. Keep your faith in God. As believers, we will not find our ultimate success through our own ability, in those around us, or in some national leader. Listen to Nehemiah’s reminder: “The God of heaven Himself will prosper us” (Nehemiah 2:20). This is what keeps us on track in the process of rebuilding. God is with us, and the God of heaven will prosper us.
Next, Nehemiah, this master rebuilder, reminds us to keep a servant’s heart. He added, “We His servants . . .” (Nehemiah 2:20). This was his way of reminding us that if we have intentions of being great in God’s kingdom then we must be the servant of all.
Finally, Nehemiah reminds us to see our critics for what they are. Listen to him as he addressed his accusers, “You have no heritage or right or memorial in Jerusalem” (2:20). He boldly confronted his critics and refused to play their game. There are times when leaders must exert a “get tough policy” in the face of some detractors. It goes with the turf. So get ready. If you take up your own task of rebuilding, there will always be a Sanballat or a Tobiah who will come along and try to get you off track. See them for who they are and what they are about. There will be times when some criticism is entirely justified and should be taken seriously, evaluated, and valued. However, so often, it is there simply to divert your focus from your goal.
Content drawn from The Nehemiah Code: It's Never Too Late for a New Beginning.