As we kick off the New Year the topic of “persistence” seems like a timely topic. We start off the year with good intentions, even Godly intentions, but sooner or later, oftentimes, we fizzle out.
As I studied the book of Nehemiah we see a man that has a task…to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. But this book means so much more than that. It’s about the importance of spiritual renewal and devotion to God. It shows God’s people getting a second chance to start over and do things right after living a life of rebellion.
God’s people…getting a do-over. Who hasn’t wanted that a time or two in their life?
The good news, is no matter where you are, what you have done and what has been neglected in your life…just like the wall of Jerusalem got rebuilt, so can the areas in your life that seem weak or broken. Simply put, you are not beyond repair!
We see three principles in place with Nehemiah as he takes on the task of rebuilding the wall – making right what is broken.
First, he started with prayer. Always our most important activity.
Second, he created a plan. If you aim at nothing, you will hit nothing.
Lastly, and this is what we are wanting to focus on today, for the most part, he persisted.
Persistence is not an easy thing in this “instant gratification” world we live in. We want comfort, we want ease and we want those things now. But, all the planning in the world will do you no good if you don’t get to work.
To illustrate this, take a snapshot of your life 1-year from now and bring it back to today. If that picture looks exactly the same as where you are today, are you satisfied with that?
Your marriage, your finances, your health, and your relationship with God. All the same. Are you satisfied, or, like Nehemiah, is it time to pray, plan and persist in an area of your life?
When you take something new on in your life that you believe is what God will want you to do, you have to expect opposition. Nehemiah expected opposition so he wasn’t surprised or quit when the opposition did indeed show itself. We have an enemy that has one goal…to make you miserable. If he can get you off track, discouraged, and to stop the direction God has for you, he’s done his job.
So men, expect opposition, pray first, set a plan, and persist. Don’t let the devil knock you off the path that God has you on. If He is calling you to it, he will equip you for it.
Here are a few verses to encourage you as you persist in different areas of your life.
Run to Win: Do you not know that in a race all runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24
Promises of God: For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.
Expect opposition: Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8
I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
Pray: Show me my weak points and areas of compromise.
Plan: What do I need to do to strengthen these areas (accountability, spiritual disciplines, etc.?)
Persist: Get to work, expect opposition and run to win!
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