From Taunts To Testimonies
(Shirley Koo, Chairperson, Wesley GYM)
READ:
Nehemiah 6 and Psalm 20 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
In Nehemiah 6, we read about the last-minute desperate measures deployed by Nehemiah’s enemies – using cunning strategies and insinuations coupled with falsehoods on Nehemiah. All attempts, however, failed for God has changed the taunts of Nehemiah’s enemies into testimonies.
Nehemiah 6:16 – When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realised that this work had been done with the help of our God.
Nehemiah was able to complete the work of rebuilding the wall in a remarkably short time of 52 days.
Nehemiah 6:15 – So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days.
The finished work of rebuilding the wall stands as a testimony of God’s presence, God’s protection and God’s provision to His people.
Deuteronomy 20:4 – “For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”
So great was Nehemiah’s consistent faith in the God he loved and worshipped. He prayed and God stood by him, enabling him to face difficulties and oppositions of all kinds and ultimately to triumph over them.
APPLY
What impressed me is Nehemiah himself. He remained steadfast and focused on the task, and God became his teacher in every encounter.
There were times where I wondered if I was doing right and if God would have done it differently. Seeing the needs in ministry during these Covid times often challenges me to think beyond and at times, I asked for the impossible because He is God of the impossible.
God has become my best confidante today because I can bring anything before Him without feeling silly or being ridiculed.
Every problem that I have encountered made me realise that He is also moulding my character, building my faith in Him, and changing my perception of people and things.
He does take me through the storms and is faithful to help me stay on course. This is so comforting and re-assuring that it helps me to identify and understand how Nehemiah would have felt when he prayed the prayer, “Now strengthen my hands” (v9b).
Prayer was Nehemiah’s lifeline. God’s character and promises were his anchor.
Isaiah 41:10 – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
DO
I am grateful for the privilege to serve and experience God personally. The time in ministry has been meaningful and purposeful. Just as Nehemiah had completed the Wall, I look forward to finishing my task with gratitude and hear Him say “Well done”.
My greatest joy and prayer would be to see my children and grandchildren know Him intimately, walk in His ways, serve Him and be blessed.
PRAY
Dear Abba Father, thank You for Your boundless love, grace and mercy in my life. Thank You for the beautiful people You have brought into my life to help build Your ministry. Keep me humble and true to You in my walk with others, Father.
Thank You for accepting me and my failures and lovingly holding my hands through the storms in life. It’s been a joy sitting at Your feet and learning from You daily and may this love never fade and die.
May my children, grandchildren and friends find delight in reading Your Word. May You help them to walk in-tune with You and Your will. May they always learn to praise You in good and bad times, believing that You work all things for their ultimate good.
Thank You for hearing my prayers. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
