Don't Be Distracted from the Work

What causes you to be distracted? What will distractions will you allow to stop you? Are we allowing the unimportant to keep us from the work God has called us to? Nehemiah was approached by the enemy in an effort to pull him away from the work on the wall. But Nehemiah realized the work was more important than talking to the enemy. He didn't face this request just once, they tried to pull him away 4 times. After these tactics didn't work, the enemies turned to slander. They were claiming Nehemiah was building up the wall so he could take power and become king. Nehemiah responds by turning to God and asking for God to strengthen his hand. The worse the opposition Nehemiah faces, the more he turns to God. The enemies don't stop and turn to the tactic of fear. They hire a man who claims to be a prophet. That man tells Nehemiah that his life is in danger and that he needs to hide in the temple. Nehemiah knew that he wasn't allowed in the temple so he told the man no and risked his life to honor God. Nehemiah was only able to make that decision because of his close walk with God. All these tactics were in an effort to pull Nehemiah away from the wall. After enduring all these attacks, the Jews finally saw the wall complete. The result was the enemies lose confidence, the Jews were encouraged, Nehemiah's faith in God was stronger, and the Jews saw clearly their help was found in God. Once the gates were complete, they protected their asset and secured the city walls with the right precautions.