Good things happen when you become determined to complete the work that God has asked you to do. When you complete the work, when your obedience to God is complete, there is nothing left for the enemy. Your enemy knows that all the attacks tried were futile because you learned to trust God and overcome.
Nehemiah experienced this. “So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God. ” (Nehemiah 6:15–16, NIV84) All of the sudden, when the work was complete, the enemies confidence was gone. The mouth of the accuser was shut. Why? Because God’s call always requires trust in God to complete and fulfill. When you complete the task, you demonstrate to the world and to the enemies that you trust God and the God’s hand and favor are upon your life.
Completing one task sets the stage for God to give you another task. Faithfulness in the small leads to promotion.
“Now the city was large and spacious, but there were few people in it, and the houses had not yet been rebuilt. So my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles, the officials and the common people for registration by families. I found the genealogical record of those who had been the first to return. This is what I found written there: ” (Nehemiah 7:4–5, NIV84) For Nehemiah, the walls were now rebuilt, but the city was empty. God placed a burden in Nehemiah’s heart to repopulate the city.
This led to a city wide revival and worship service. “So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law. ” (Nehemiah 8:2–3, NIV84) This became a day of hope for the people to also trust in God. “Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is sacred to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” ” (Nehemiah 8:9–10, NIV84)
Nehemiah found success in all the endeavors because the call started with God. Nehemiah learned to trust God, to seek God and to draw on God’s strength.
Stay focused on completing the task that God has given you. As you do, you will silence the mouth of your enemies and set the stage for revival.
