Crushing responsibilities

Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome. — Nehemiah 4:14

While the outcome of the Second World War was still uncertain, Franklin Roosevelt died and Harry Truman was sworn in as the next president of the United States. The following day, President Truman told reporters, “When they told me yesterday what had happened, I felt like the moon, the stars, and all the planets had fallen on me.” Certainly Truman faced crushing responsibilities.

Nehemiah was a great leader who also faced overwhelming burdens. Accompanied by Jewish exiles who had returned from Babylon, Nehemiah was given the task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Amid terrible opposition, he refused to be intimidated by the jeers and threats of the enemy. Instead, the man of God organized a dual strategy of construction and military defense — bathing their efforts in prayer: “We made our prayer to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night” (Neh. 4:9). Nehemiah addressed the ongoing threats the workers faced by getting their focus back on God: “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome” (v. 14).

Are you facing crushing responsibilities today? Praying for God’s help and putting together a practical plan can give you strength to complete the task. — Dennis Fisher

Lord, the newness of the day

Calls me to an untried way;

Let me gladly take the road,

Give me strength to bear my load. — Anon.

READ: Nehemiah 4:1-14

God invites us to burden Him with what burdens us.

The Bible in one year:

• Isaiah 26-27

• Philippians 2