What kind of challenges are you faced with?  Sure there are the everyday challenges to stay on top of studying, be punctual and disciplined with our time, and of meet the needs of our family.  These challenges are constant.  They never leave us they simply shift their requirements.  But every now and then we are faced with a great challenge, one that might even be life threatening, spiritually, if left unanswered.

Nehemiah was a man with a great challenge before him.  He was a cup bearer to King Artaxerxes, during Israel’s exile in Babylon.  God had given him a great burden for his land (city) that needed to be rebuilt.  When given the opportunity to make a request to the king, he asked if he could be sent to Judah… to rebuild it (Neh.2:5).  He went on to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem it was a great challenge, but the good hand of God was upon him (Neh.2:8,18).

Often times people have slipped into a rut that keeps them from thinking big, dreaming big, and doing great things, most of the time because they don’t answer the challenge with the right answer.  Whatever you may be facing, or if you know someone who is facing a challenge that seems unmanageable, allow me to give you a few help points.

  1. -Remember that the first point of action is prayer!  Before Neh. ever left Babylon the King ask him what he would request?  And Neh. first prayed to God of heaven.  That is our first point of action.  We are laboring according to His power.  That means we are Spirit-filled and a prayerful people in that! 
  2. -Remember the small things.  We often think of great things being done in great ways, (i.e. major speeches or some revolution) but the truth is great objectives are made with just one small step behind another.  Neh was building a great wall, but he did so laying one stone on top of another, over many years!  Pace yourself and stay focused.  Remember the small things count!!!
  3. -Remember we do all things by His Word. It is the Word of God that brings us hope, and by believing His Word we are believing in Him.  Read, read, and then read some more… Phil. 4; 2Cor.4; Heb. 11; Js 1; Psalms 32, 62, 63, 42 and others…!

Sometimes the greatest challenge is to simply trust the Lord, that he will take care of you and be faithful… even when are faithless!  So rise up to the challenges of your life and see our Lord do great things in, and through, you!