BBD 10.18.06 Distractions - Part II
Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>
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The Burning Bush Devotional
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10.18.06
Distractions - Part II
Now it happened when Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our
enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall, and that there were no breaks
left in it (though at that time I had not hung the doors in the gates), that
Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, "Come, let us meet together among
the villages in the plain of Ono." But they thought to do me harm. So I sent
messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come
down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?" But
they sent me this message four times, and I answered them in the same
manner. - Nehemiah 6:1-4.
In the Mexican state of Chiapas, four people were killed over a dispute
about repair of a pothole. Violence is reported to be common in some of the
more remote areas of Mexico. Two families were involved in the argument. One
family closed off the street to repair a pothole that had resulted from
heavy rains, however, there was another family that owned a transport
company and they needed to drive a truck through the street. An argument
began with insults, physical violence, and finally weapons being used in the
fight including an AR-15. The pothole has now been repaired but not until
the destruction of four lives which can never be repaired. As the apostle
Paul tells us violence was not the best solution to the problem, "Do not be
overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21)."
Not only are there daily duties, obligations, emergencies, and unexpected
obstacles that will be encountered in our lives; in addition, there are at
times people who will try to derail you from your devotion to the Lord. It
may be tempting to use inappropriate means of response and this must be
avoided. When possible use such situations as an opportunity to share how
important your faith is to you and the difference it makes in your life.
However, you must always be alert to the possibility that the distraction is
not a distraction but an opportunity for service or witness. Always be alert
to the move of the Holy Spirit in those situations. Listen for His voice.
Nehemiah continually kept the main thing the main thing. He had come to
build a wall around Jerusalem and he was going to build a wall. Nehemiah
faced threats, and subversion but he continued on, and he continually
encouraged the people to continue on.
You too will face outside interference in your devotion to the Lord.
Sometimes it may be just as difficult to deal with - as friends, or even
your husband, or your wife, or children, will have something better for you
to be doing than serving the Lord or spending time with Him. You too in the
face of such opposition, such interference, and such distractions must be
steadfast as was Nehemiah. As Nehemiah responded to those trying to distract
Him - you should respond as well. Nehemiah told them, "I am doing a great
work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it
and go down to you?"
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