Against All Odds

Sometimes, it feels like the higher my praises are to God, the higher the tides become in the midst of my storm. I still smile, raise my head, and worship God even louder. Calling out to God is what makes me so strong. My faith in His ultimate Will is what gives me the means to be successful at what I do. I once heard a elder say, "Align your goals with God's ultimate Will, not align God's Will with your ultimate goals, and you will be successful in all that you do."

"Align your goals with God's ultimate Will, not align God's Will with your ultimate goals, and you will be successful in all that you do"

Nehemiah 4 leads me through my high tides with lessons only God's Word can demonstrate so clearly. Nehemiah 4:1 features the antagonisms often thrown at obedient believers in our Heavenly Father. Sanballet heard that Nehemiah and the remnant Jewish people built the wall, and was furious. Sanballet and Tobiah ridiculed the children of God in front of their people and the Samaritan army.

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"Question 1"

Nehemiah 4:4,5 There is clearly someone praying... Who is this? I, of course, assumed it was Nehemiah, until I really read it and realized, "Wait a second, this is not a pray for someone's well being." Could this be Nehemiah praying in wrath?

Please add your comments in the comment section because I'm really curious on your input. Although I've prayed, I'm genuinely interested in your understanding of Nehemiah 4:4,5.

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One scripture that inspired me is, Nehemiah 4:6, " ... for the people had a mind to work."

With all the scheming and conspiring against the Jewish people, their minds were focused on completing the Will of God. Their devotion to the will of God was so zealous and their passion for God was so strong they literally was given beauty for ashes as foretold in Isaiah 61:3. Praise God!

But the heathens, Sanballet, Tobiah, the Arabians, Ashdodites, and the Ammonites were so sick with rage because the Jewish remnant success over shadowed their mockery, they decided to conspired against them. But Nehemiah and the Jewish remnant's firm foundation in God, so the threats from the heathens put no fear in their heart. Nehemiah 4:9 explains their immediate reactions to the threat at hand.

After looking at my storm, and concerns, I realized who my enemy was, and I was scared. I am my own worst enemy. I doubted myself, mocked what I was capable of from my past, over though the limitations I drew in front of me. But God... God encouraged me to continue reading Nehemiah 4, and the spirit of God's Will became contagious through the scriptures. Every doubtful and belittling thought became stepping stools to invigorate the Holy Spirit's strength within me. I am all sold out to God, in Jesus Christ name. There was no more room for fear, and failure in vain, only God's Word, and the Holy Spirit.

I reached out to my spiritual friends and family, optimistic of my new home, and interests in being a dedicated stewardess for God. Finally, my eyes fixated on a gateway to servicing God. The Taco Bar Bible Study... And the labor for God began for me, as so the labor and defense continued for Nehemiah and the Jewish remnant in Nehemiah 4:22.

"Don't Forget! Under God's covenant, I'm still weathering a storm."