I sent messengers to them with this reply, “I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down.”  Nehemiah 6:3

     Nehemiah was doing the work that God had burdened him to do: rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Despite threats and harassment and criticism, the work had made great progress. Then his antagonists asked for a meeting. The verse above is Nehemiah’s answer. Some of us would have trouble responding that way for two reasons:

     1) We are intimidated. This request for a meeting is a more subtle, manipulative approach than Nehemiah had previously encountered. The guy appears to be offering an olive branch. When people put on a façade of niceness, we have trouble saying no. Our guilt tells us we are not being agreeable. We often get worn down, and we give in. There are those of us who need to learn this one simple word: NO. Ask yourself, “If I say yes to this request or demand will it move me toward the work God has given me or away from it?” Is the Lord leading you to say no to something or someone? You are more likely to say NO if you believe that the work you are doing is great.   

     2) The wording: I am doing a great work.  Would you even say something that sounds that arrogant? Most of us have trouble believing that the work we do is great. We wouldn’t call it great, especially if it doesn’t feel great. But let’s define a great work. Is God great? Does He promise to direct our paths? So if I am where God has put me, this assigns great value to my work.

     Years ago there was a missionary in China, a capable young man who did a great job as a linguist and diplomat in his work for the Lord. His abilities were so outstanding that one of the American Companies in China tried to hire him. They offered him an attractive job with a salary to match, but he turned it down. He told them that God had sent him to China as a missionary and that was what he was going to do. He thought that would end the matter, but instead they came back with a better offer and an increase in salary. He turned that down, too, but again they came back, doubling the salary that had originally been proposed. Finally he said, “It’s not your salary that is too little. It’s the job that’s too small.”

      Whether you are spending all your time raising children, running a crew, sitting at a desk or standing in a classroom, you are doing a great work. Don’t get distracted, allow yourself to get discouraged, or let others (or the enemy) demean your life. You are doing a great work, and God will reward you.

*What would it take for you to believe that God values what you do and that you have confidence to say, I am doing a great work?

Lord, help me lay aside every concern and burden in my heart and reject all temptation to be sidetracked from what You have called me to do. Keep my eyes focused on You. Because of Your Word, I believe what I am doing is a great work. Thank You for that touch of grace. Amen.



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