Throughout this past month, we have talked about the divine burdens that God places on our hearts. These are burdens for the needs and difficulties we see around us. During the weekend message, we were reminded that these divine burdens do not have to be huge things like changing jobs and moving to Africa, or starting a big movement that changes civilization, although they can be. Often, these burdens are related to seemingly small things in life that have a significant impact, such as investing more in your spouse and children, joining a ministry team and serving at Sagebrush, or building intentional relationships at your work so you can share the hope of Christ with them. As we set out to act on these divine burdens God has placed on our hearts, we will face obstacles. After all, the enemy will do everything possible to keep us from acting on these burdens. Nehemiah certainly faced obstacles as he set out to rebuild Jerusalem's walls. Today, we will continue his story we have been studying throughout this sermon series together, and learn from his example how to respond to the opposition and obstacles we face.
What are the different ways people respond to obstacles that arise in life, and what motivates their responses?
1. Read Nehemiah 4:1-13. What obstacles did Nehemiah and the Jewish people face as they worked toward rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem?
Nehemiah 4:1-13
Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage and mocked the Jews, 2 saying in front of his friends and the Samarian army officers, “What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they’re doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a single day by just offering a few sacrifices? Do they actually think they can make something of stones from a rubbish heap—and charred ones at that?” 3 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was standing beside him, remarked, “That stone wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it!” 4 Then I prayed, “Hear us, our God, for we are being mocked. May their scoffing fall back on their own heads, and may they themselves become captives in a foreign land! 5 Do not ignore their guilt. Do not blot out their sins, for they have provoked you to anger here in front of the builders.” 6 At last the wall was completed to half its height around the entire city, for the people had worked with enthusiasm. 7 But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the work was going ahead and that the gaps in the wall of Jerusalem were being repaired, they were furious. 8 They all made plans to come and fight against Jerusalem and throw us into confusion. 9 But we prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves. 10 Then the people of Judah began to complain, “The workers are getting tired, and there is so much rubble to be moved. We will never be able to build the wall by ourselves.” 11 Meanwhile, our enemies were saying, “Before they know what’s happening, we will swoop down on them and kill them and end their work.” 12 The Jews who lived near the enemy came and told us again and again, “They will come from all directions and attack us!” 13 So I placed armed guards behind the lowest parts of the wall in the exposed areas. I stationed the people to stand guard by families, armed with swords, spears, and bows.
2. How did Nehemiah respond to the opposition that arose as he and the Jewish people worked on rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls?
3. Read Nehemiah 4:14. Summarize Nehemiah’s message to the Jewish people who were helping to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls in this passage of Scripture.
Nehemiah 4:14.
Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!”
4. Read Nehemiah 4:14-23. Describe the work ethic of Nehemiah and the Jewish people in response to the opposition of their enemies and exhaustion as they rebuilt Jerusalem’s walls.
Nehemiah 4:14-23
14Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!” 15When our enemies heard that we knew of their plans and that God had frustrated them, we all returned to our work on the wall. 16But from then on, only half my men worked while the other half stood guard with spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. The leaders stationed themselves behind the people of Judah 17who were building the wall. The laborers carried on their work with one hand supporting their load and one hand holding a weapon. 18All the builders had a sword belted to their side. The trumpeter stayed with me to sound the alarm. 19Then I explained to the nobles and officials and all the people, “The work is very spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. 20When you hear the blast of the trumpet, rush to wherever it is sounding. Then our God will fight for us!” 21We worked early and late, from sunrise to sunset. And half the men were always on guard. 22I also told everyone living outside the walls to stay in Jerusalem. That way they and their servants could help with guard duty at night and work during the day. 23During this time, none of us—not I, nor my relatives, nor my servants, nor the guards who were with me—ever took off our clothes. We carried our weapons with us at all times, even when we went for water.
1. Why does opposition arise as we set out to act on the divine burdens that God has given us?
2. What obstacles are you facing or do you anticipate facing as you are acting on the divine burden God has placed on your heart?
3. What is it in your life that Satan would love for you to give up on?
Hopefully, now you have all shared the thing in your life that Satan would love for you to give up on. What is one step you can take this week to persevere and keep going? Share that step with your group. After everyone has shared, pray together. Ask God for the strength and endurance to persevere amidst the obstacles you face as you set out to act on your divine burdens.
GOING DEEPER
As the Jewish people working on the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls became discouraged by the obstacles they faced, Nehemiah encouraged them to “remember the Lord.” This was a reminder that they were not alone in their endeavors to accomplish this God-sized burden they had all taken on. The God of the universe was with them and would accomplish this task through them. Still today, we, too, need the reminder to “remember the Lord.” We need the reminder that God has not forsaken us and that God is with us. In our study today, we will look at three truths about God we can remember when we feel tempted to quit: God’s power, God’s faithfulness, and God’s promises.
When we feel discouraged in our endeavors to act on the divine burdens God has given us, we often need the reminder of who gave us these burdens: our all-powerful God. If He gives us a divine burden, we can be sure that He will work to see the task at hand accomplished. We do not have to rely on our limited power. We can rely on His never-ending and unlimited power.
1. Read 1st Chronicles 29:11-12.
1st Chronicles 29:11-12
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. 12 Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength.
2. What does this passage of Scripture reveal about God’s power?
3. How have you seen God’s power to be evident in your own life?
4. How does remembering God’s power encourage you to boldly act on the divine burdens He has given you?
When discouragement sets in due to the obstacles we face as we set out to act on our divine burdens, we may be tempted to forget God. Specifically, we may be tempted to forget His faithfulness. You see, God is faithful. Even more, He is faithful to us. When we remember how He has provided for and taken care of us time and time again, we can move forward and persevere in whatever He has called us to do, including acting on our divine burdens.
1. Read Deuteronomy 7:9.
Deuteronomy 7:9
Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.
2. What does God’s faithfulness mean for us, according to this passage of Scripture?
3. How has God shown you His faithfulness in your own life?
4. How does remembering God’s faithfulness encourage you to boldly act on the divine burdens He has given you?
As we set out to act on our divine burdens, we can be tempted to let the opposition against us drown out the truths from God. You see, He has given us promise after promise through His word, and when we hang on to His promises, it is impossible not to persevere and keep going at whatever task He has called us to. We just have to hold on to His promises and let them be louder than our opposition and our enemies.
1. Read 1st John 5:11-12, one of God’s amazing promises to us in Scripture.
1st John 5:11-12
And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.
2. What is the promise we can claim in this passage of Scripture?
3. How does this promise from 1st John 5:11-12 bring perspective in any situation?
4. How does God’s promise in this passage of Scripture encourage you to boldly act on the divine burdens He has given you?
Which of the truths about God do you specifically need to hold on to today as you think about the divine burden He has placed on your heart? Share your answer with your group and why. Commit to memorizing Scripture related to that truth throughout this week. You could memorize passages from Scripture that you read in this Going Deeper section or research more passages related to this truth about God to memorize. As you remember God this week, you will walk with confidence and courage as you set out to act on the divine burdens that He has given you.
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