Manna for Your Morning

Now it came about that when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious and very angry and mocked the Jews. — Nehemiah 4:1 (NASB1995) When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of Nehemiah’s arrival, they were very displeased that someone had come to help the people of Israel. (See Nehemiah 2:10) Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem proceeded to mock the Israelites. Instead of replying to his enemies, Nehemiah turned to Yahweh and 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! (Nehemiah 4:4 NLT) Know that when you engage in a good work, the enemy will always attempt to discourage, distract and halt the work of Yahweh anyway he can. May we remember that we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in ...

So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” — Nehemiah 6:3 (NKJV) The adversaries of the Israelites continually mocked, harassed and threatened Nehemiah, in an attempt to stop the work of God in their lives. Just as our enemy wants to pull you down and stop the work of God in your life. Don’t give place to the distractions. As you remain diligent to do the work God has given you, He will take care of all that concerns you. Whatever your God given assignment, whether big or small, it’s a great work. Arise and continue to build!

Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. — Ecclesiastes 11:1 (NKJV) All of what God provides is not for our own consumption. We are to invest some into the Kingdom of God and into others. Our heavenly Father insures a return. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap (Galatians 6:7, NKJV). Be a wise steward of all that you have received from God. Give generously of your time, your talents and your finances, for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Luke 12:34). Amen!

And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” — Mark 15:34 (NKJV) As Jesus bore our sins on the cross, He experienced separation from God. That was the most agonizing, gut-wrenching moment of all. More than the pain of having nails hammered into His hands and feet. More than the beating which ripped the flesh off His back and left Him unrecognizable as a human being. It was not being mocked and rejected by men. It was being separated from His Father that made Him cry out. He suffered all of this, to reconcile us back into fellowship with the heavenly Father. What a privilege we have, to fellowship with our heavenly Father, to have access to Him, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Pursue His Presence today. Live in it every moment of every day!