Re:Verse passage – Nehemiah 4:1-8 (day five) Work on the wall has started. The mentioned people and families are following God’s plan and purpose. Now comes criticism, mocking, anger, distraction, questioning, and persecution. Probably should have expected it. We know to expect it from Jesus teachings- see John 15. Yet verse six says in the midst of all the opposition and noise, “So we built the wall”.
I like Jerry Bridges’ thoughts on the preeminence of obedience in the life of the believer- how faithfulness is to be desired over success. It really gives clarity to the focus and desires of the heart. Am I first and foremost desiring to please and honor God with all I am and all I do? (See Colossians 3:22) Even at the cost of personal awards and rewards?
“God wants us to walk in obedience – not victory. Obedience is oriented toward God; victory is oriented toward self. This may seem to be merely splitting hairs over semantics, but there’s a subtle, self-centered attitude at the root… Until we deal with this attitude, we won’t consistently walk in holiness.”- Jerry Bridges