"Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain” – (Psalms 127:1)
There are many instances in the Bible where God commissions one to build something. Noah was called upon to build the ark. “So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out” (Gen 6:14). Nehemiah went out and rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem. “Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace” (Nehemiah 2:17). King Solomon built a temple for the Lord. “So Solomon built the temple and completed it (I Kings 14).
Several aspects common to all building projects is time, resources and effort against odds. The dream of building the temple started with David. He “called for his son Solomon, and charged him to build a house for the Lord God of Israel” (I Chronicles 22:6). Nehemiah did not re build the wall all by himself. “Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace” (Nehemiah 2:17). He faced opposition and setbacks. “But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it” (Nehemiah 4: 7-8).
Today God may be calling you to build something. Ask God to provide you with resources as He did for Noah, Solomon, Nehemiah and many of His people. Do not find it surprising if you are attacked and opposed for Nehemiah experienced the same but never gave in. “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome (Nehemiah 4: 14-15).
Keep the vision alive just as David did who passed on the dream to his son Solomon. And once all is done give a prayer of thanks to Him who has made it all possible. For after the temple had gone up Solomon prayed, “Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised.. so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other” (I Kings 8: 56-60).
Prayer for today: Lord father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, throughout time you have gathered your people, impressed upon them a vision to build something and enabled them and so I pray you help me too, this I pray in Jesus’s name!
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03/05/2024 - 04/05/2024 All day“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” (Isaiah 41:10)
Every now and then one could be gripped with fear because of certain events sweeping before one’s life journey. It could be the finances that are stretched and incomes are no longer certain. Perhaps it is one’s job under threat. Perhaps it is a dreaded health report card. There could be fear about outcome of a matter under judgment and what it might mean to one’s future.
Fear has been elsewhere described as “an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.” Every life will experience fear at one point. Whenever we are faced with fear it is natural to look for something to grasp on. Sometimes we run for shelter wherever we can find. Perhaps we might seek out a friend for quiet confidence.
But there are those situations when there is no shelter in sight. There are also those cases where those we thought would understand our situation once we share our pain return only hurting and critical feedback. In such moments we might then turn and look within ourselves only to find the energy has all been sapped by this gnawing fear. We feel down and the urge to rise and move on all gone!
“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" (Isaiah 41:10) the word of God through prophet Isaiah assures us. But why? It is because the Lord has been there. He himself was faced with fear before his crucifixion but He looked to God.
Charles Spurgeon once wrote when faced with fear always remember, “Nothing is too hard for Him. He can find a way where there is no way. He can give us the idea that will make all the difference.” Psalm 91:2, says, “I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” So, when faced with fear, look to God to strengthen you. By looking to Him, the Lord will encourage and lift up your spirit, and make a way out of nowhere!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I surrender to you any fear that is in me for I know by looking up to you, you will always make a way out of nowhere, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
