Do Not Despair

It Couldn't Be Done

by Edgar A. Guest Somebody said it couldn't be done. But he with a chuckle replied, That maybe it couldn't, but he would be one Who wouldn't say so 'till he'd tried. So he buckled right in with a trace of a grin On his face. If he worried, he hid it. He started to sing as he tackled the thing That couldn't be done. And he did. Somebody scoffed, "Oh, you'll never do that At least no one ever has done it." But he took off his coat, and he took off his hat, And the first thing we know, he'd begun it. With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin, Without any doubting or "quit-it". He started to sing as he tackled the thing That couldn't done. And he did it. There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done. There are thousands to prophesy failure. There are thousands to point out to you, one by one, The dangers that wait to assail you But just buckle in, with a bit of a grin; Just take off your coat and go to it. Just start in to sing as you tackle the thing That cannot be done--and you'll do it!

So it is today in the Church. We see problems or opportunities and someone comes up with an idea an too often we hear “We tried it and it doesn’t work” or “We don’t have the time, money, resources, or what ever else to do it”

Other times a project is started and scoffing and ridicule often follow and no matter how hard we try, sometimes we can become discouraged but we need to remember a saying my Mother taught me, “God and I are a majority” and if He wants it done, nothing is going to stand in His way.

God had a plan and Nehemiah had the vision and the passion to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem. God directed Zerubbabel to rebuild the temple and after 20 years of work it was completed. Then God inspired Ezra 58 yearslater to rebuild the spiritual lives of the people and Ezra did for 13 years. Now Nehemiah starts the wall rebuilding.

91 years have passed from the building of the temple to the beginning of the wall!

So after an evening walk around the city assessing the problem he enlists the support needed and the work begins.

Nehemiah 2:19

But what else begins?

Matt 5:11-12

Nehemiah had one task and that was to rebuild the wall.

Regardless of the opposition, each had a job to do. Men were assigned to different sections of the wall. God has in mind for us to do a specific task and will equip us for that task. Side by side with others. Nehemiah Chapter 3 gives the details.

But does Nehemiah respond?  How?  Vs 20

He gave God the credit before it was completed. He had faith in that which he was doing was God’s will.

What caused the opposition?  -  Progress in the project

Rest assured, the more you listen to God and do His will, opposition is sure to follow!  But Why?

Change in the status quo is often perceived as a threat.

Even challenging the status quo can be a threat.

Especially if it leads to growth and progress.

REMEMBER!!! God works in our live and allows situations to arise to prepare us for greater things.  Zerubbabal and Ezra

But birds of a feather flock together. Look what happens in Chapter 4:1-3

In 2:19 it was mocking and ridicule but now anger and became incensed – foaming at the mouth, chomping at the bit – and became sarcastic!

What mistake does Sanballat and Tobiah make? “their wall”

It wasn’t “their wall” – Who’s wall was it? God’s wall. He wanted the wall built. When He wants something done and we become his instruments both we and the project will be completed. Matt 16:18 More often than not though, the project is really our spiritual lives, our relationship with God.

The critics look at things through a human point of view, their walls, their plans, their procedures, their arrangements. They do not see it as God’s plan and His project being accomplished by His people. They take their eyes off God and focus on themselves.

Does Nehemiah respond this time? How? Vs 4 & 5

He prayed

He did not retaliate. He left that up to God! No “forgive their sins” “forgive them for they know not what they do” “forgive us our transgressions” but God take care of it so we can do your work!

Most leaders respond with like kind; not Nehemiah

 I Sam 17:47  Proverbs 15:1,28-29,  James 1:5

He persisted, he kept to the task at hand and let the nay sayers be dealt with by God  vs6

Because of his confidence in God, the people became inspired “with all their heart”

Encouragement leads to PROgress

Discouragement  is  CONgress

When facing ridicule, tough times, persecution, negativity it is easy to quit, turn back, doubt, despair, run, look for an easier way. And sometimes the times get tougher, the criticism intensifies and things seem darker and darker.

What happens next? Vs 8

When the enemy is plotting, we need to be praying and also use common sense!  David prayed and ran from Saul