Focused on the Calling
Nehemiah 4:6-10 (ESV)
So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.
But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.
In Judah it was said, “The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall.”
Reflection
We will all face opposition sometime in our lives. Not everyone will agree with how we live our lives or our views on a particular topic. It becomes even more difficult as we share our faith in a world that opposes Christianity. The decisions we make may not be the most popular with our friends and family; however, we must stand firm in what we believe. The important thing to remember is that God will show Himself on our behalf if we are following Him with our whole heart.
In Nehemiah’s story, he was determined to rebuild the broken walls of Jerusalem. God had placed it on his heart and had given him everything he needed to accomplish the task. The only problem was that the neighboring nations were greatly opposed to the rebuilding. They did not want Jerusalem to return to power and regain its fortification. This forced Nehemiah to decide who he was going to listen to. He could give in to the opposition and stop the construction project, or he could continue to focus on the calling God had placed on him. He chose to ignore the voices of the enemy, and he prayed that God would give him direction for the next step. Nehemiah realized the project would not be accomplished without help, so guards were placed for protection, and the workers armed themselves as they worked day and night to finish the wall.
Nehemiah’s story is unique but not so different from our lives. God has a specific plan for each of us if we are willing to answer His calling. Sometimes the calling is not what we expect, and there will always be pressure to take the easy path and ignore what God has for us. Thankfully, He has given us His Spirit to help guide us in these situations. It might be as easy as being kind to a neighbor and generous to our Uber driver. At other times, God might want us to share our testimony with a co-worker, invite the grocery employee to church, or travel to a foreign country to further the Kingdom. Whatever it is, have confidence that God will show Himself. He is faithful and will never leave us when we call on His name.
Action Steps
How do you respond to situations when things get difficult? Do you stop and take a step back to seek God, or do you try to “fix” the problem on your own? Emotions are real, and how we respond is so important. Next time something comes up that is out of your control, stop and pray to God for His wisdom. He promises to be with you when you place your faith in Him.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, Your opinion is the one that matters the most…and You see me as a beloved child. Help me to recognize the calling You have given me. Give me direction, courage, and the boldness to walk it out. I know You will give me all the tools and resources I need to accomplish the task. Give me the eyes to see and the ears to hear! Amen.
So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.
But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.
In Judah it was said, “The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall.”
Reflection
We will all face opposition sometime in our lives. Not everyone will agree with how we live our lives or our views on a particular topic. It becomes even more difficult as we share our faith in a world that opposes Christianity. The decisions we make may not be the most popular with our friends and family; however, we must stand firm in what we believe. The important thing to remember is that God will show Himself on our behalf if we are following Him with our whole heart.
In Nehemiah’s story, he was determined to rebuild the broken walls of Jerusalem. God had placed it on his heart and had given him everything he needed to accomplish the task. The only problem was that the neighboring nations were greatly opposed to the rebuilding. They did not want Jerusalem to return to power and regain its fortification. This forced Nehemiah to decide who he was going to listen to. He could give in to the opposition and stop the construction project, or he could continue to focus on the calling God had placed on him. He chose to ignore the voices of the enemy, and he prayed that God would give him direction for the next step. Nehemiah realized the project would not be accomplished without help, so guards were placed for protection, and the workers armed themselves as they worked day and night to finish the wall.
Nehemiah’s story is unique but not so different from our lives. God has a specific plan for each of us if we are willing to answer His calling. Sometimes the calling is not what we expect, and there will always be pressure to take the easy path and ignore what God has for us. Thankfully, He has given us His Spirit to help guide us in these situations. It might be as easy as being kind to a neighbor and generous to our Uber driver. At other times, God might want us to share our testimony with a co-worker, invite the grocery employee to church, or travel to a foreign country to further the Kingdom. Whatever it is, have confidence that God will show Himself. He is faithful and will never leave us when we call on His name.
Action Steps
How do you respond to situations when things get difficult? Do you stop and take a step back to seek God, or do you try to “fix” the problem on your own? Emotions are real, and how we respond is so important. Next time something comes up that is out of your control, stop and pray to God for His wisdom. He promises to be with you when you place your faith in Him.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, Your opinion is the one that matters the most…and You see me as a beloved child. Help me to recognize the calling You have given me. Give me direction, courage, and the boldness to walk it out. I know You will give me all the tools and resources I need to accomplish the task. Give me the eyes to see and the ears to hear! Amen.
Recent
Archive
2026
January
Don’t Stop Short of JesusThe Cross Is God’s Invitation to YouRemembering the OwnerThe OwnerThe Illusion of Self-Made SuccessActs 26:12–23 | Paul’s Encounter with JesusActs 26: 1–11 | Agrippa Grants PermissionInvited From The OutsideSurrender Creates PeaceWhen Blessing Becomes ForgetfulnessWhat A Pastor Means When They Say... | The Branch Living as Stewards, Not OwnersCreated for RelationshipThe Heart Behind the GiftSurrender GainsThe StewardFaithful StewardsOne Percent BetterEverything Belongs to GodThe Evaluation Is ComingActs 26:24-32 | Agrippa Parries Paul's ChallengeRedefining Success | The Branch The EvaluationHow You View God Determines EverythingThe Economy of Kingdom InvestmentChoose Your Category WiselyAnchored in Steadfast LoveActs 27:1-3 | Paul Sails for RomeDiscerning Between Good And Evil | The BranchLoved Enough to Be DisciplinedThe Steadfast Love of GodReturning to God’s WayCrying Out from the DepthsLiving with Wise Awareness
2025
January
A New Heart and SpiritSowing in Tears, Reaping in JoyFrom the Pit to a New SongNo Other God's Before MeSeek First the KingdomStoring Treasures in HeavenServing One MasterTrusting God with EverythingThe Power of InfluenceRelationships That InfluenceFinding Godly FriendsIron Sharpens IronSpeaking Truth In LovePrioritizing God's PresenceChoosing the Better PortionLiving With Eternal PerspectiveCreating Margin For God's PurposesBearing Fruit Through AbidingReleasing the Past, Embracing God's FutureTransformed By God's LoveOur Past And A Hope For A FutureEmbracing Our New Identity In ChristRunning The Race Of Perseverance
February
Generosity Begins With PriorityThe Heart of GivingTithing as an Act of FaithThe Blessing of GenerosityTrusting God's FaithfulnessSeeing Yourself Through Jesus' EyesThe Power of Jesus' CallFrom Broken to BlessedEmpowered for PurposeHope for the FutureGod Knows Your NeedBringing Your Needs to JesusFaith in the Face of ImpossibilityJesus' Power Over Death and DiseaseTestimony of God's FaithfulnessCreated For A PurposeCompassion In ActionOvercoming Fear To Share HopeMeeting Needs To Show LoveAnswering the Call
March
HosannaWhat a MiracleI Speak Jesus InhabitJesus Over EverythingThe Risky Call of DiscipleshipGod's Presence in Our VulnerabilityThe Sword of TruthThe Power of Small Acts of KindnessEnduring Faith in the Face of AdversityGod's Perfect TimingAnswering the CallEmpowered for ServiceEmbracing God's Greater PurposeFaithfulness in TrialsAnswering God's CallOvercoming Doubt and FearPerseverance in ObedienceGod's Faithfulness in Our JourneyMountaintop Experiences and Everyday Faith The Danger of Covetousness
No Comments