In his famous devotional, “My Utmost for His Highest,” Oswald Chambers says to his reader “Never support an experience which does not have God as its source, and faith in God as its result.” It’s a reminder to us as believers that while we know we’re called to trust God and do the right thing, even when there are countless temptations to do the wrong thing, sometimes for a “noble” reason.
In Nehemiah 6, Nehemiah is presented with a dilemma. He’s received word that men are coming to kill him and he’s told that he should hide in the temple. Now, Nehemiah was most likely a eunuch, and to do this would have been a ritual transgression and been something that could be used to discredit him. Nehemiah is presented with a basic choice: respond in fear or respond in faith. As we know from the story, Nehemiah rejects the invitation to do the wrong thing and stands his ground.
This is a challenge for us. Each day we are presented with situations where we have an opportunity to trust God and have faith. Maybe you’re looking at your new year’s goals, big God-sized goals, and there are people who are doubting you like they doubted Nehemiah. Maybe it’s an opportunity for faith. What are the situations at work or school or home where God’s calling you to step in to trust Him and to faith? What is the step that we can take, like Nehemiah, that results in greater faith? What are the God-sized goals that God’s calling you to pursue this year? As Nehemiah experienced, sometimes our allies and friends are the ones trying to talk us off the ledge of perceived risk to step away from our God-sized goals! Who are we going to trust? Who are we going to follow? Who are we going to seek? I’m reminded of Paul’s statement in Ephesians 3:20-21, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.” Friends, God is able to do immeasurably more than we can even imagine! Isn’t He worth trusting? Yes! Let each day be an opportunity to trust that the Lord is at work and do the right thing by making decisions that lead you toward greater faith and trust in our Father.
Seth Redden
High School Pastor