So much of the time, we face situations where we have no desire to finish a task. It may have been more work, expense, or time than expected. Unless we have a strong determination to stay the course, we will abandon the mission.
In the book of Nehemiah, we see a man, Nehemiah, who was determined to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. He was a layman working as a cupbearer for the King of Persia. In Nehemiah 1:2-3 he gets a report from Hanani, one of his brethren, and certain men of Judah. He “asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.” His heart is broken for his people and his homeland, and the first item on his agenda is to go to God in prayer. He begs God for answers and redemption for His people.
Nehemiah 1:11 “O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king’s cupbearer.”
Nehemiah was trusted by the King. The cupbearer was the one to take the first drink from the king’s cup to ensure it was not laced with poison. Nehemiah pleads his case to the King to return to Jerusalem, and he is granted his request.
If you read the book of Nehemiah, you will see a humble servant determined to stay the course. He withstood much opposition during the building of the wall. Ezra was the priest of the Jews at this time, and he led them in the spiritual realm while Nehemiah led them to the physical aspects of securing the city and strengthening the people. He had half the people building the wall while the other half protected the city. He never took credit for anything himself. He knew any success they had was of God.
If we intend to stay the course in the army of God, we must first cry out to God for His blessings and His direction. Prayer is the key to knowing what to do and when to do it.
I John 5:14 “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:”
We must keep our focus on the goal and determine that it is worth the struggle. Forget the past obsticles the discouraging words from others and remain true to the cause.
Philippians 3:12-14 “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
When you are so tired, you cannot think straight. Take a short rest. Do not quit. Just refresh.
Galatians 6:9 “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”
Stay in the word as the psalmist teaches in Psalm 105: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Light gives direction and keeps us from making the wrong step.
Do not give up! Nehemiah could have stayed in the palace and remained the cupbearer of the King, and no one would have thought anything of it, except God. He could have taken the easy way out, but the wall would not have been built, and the people would have remained vulnerable to all their enemies. God chose Nehemiah for the task, and He has chosen each of us for a task to build His kingdom. However, you must determine if you will stay the course or quit.
Act 20:24 “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”
When you come to the end of your life may you be able to say; “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” II Timothy 4:7.
