Have you ever had an idea or a thought to do something extraodinary in your life? Such as doing something great for God, opening a business, changing careers or going back to school?
When you spoke of these things to your friends, colleagues or family members were you met with great opposition? Did they tell you all the reasons they believe you could not accomplish your dream?
In my study in the book of Nehemiah, I've learned there are six-fold negatives which hinder man's work for God and himself. They are:
1. Grief, Neh. 2:10 (which includes hate, jealousy and envy).
2. Laughter, Neh. 2:19 (man and his foolish wisdom believing the task was impossible).
3. Wrath, indignation and mocking, Neh. 4:1-4 (insults, dislike, offensive)
4. Fighting and open opposition, Neh. 4:7-8 (people opposed to your calling).
5. Conference, Neh. 6:12 ("Come and let's meet together, Let us take counsel together.")
6. False Friends, Neh. 6:10-14 (Here is the greatest danger of all. Satan, appearing as an "angel of light", seeking only to mar, hinder and stop your work. Pretending to appreciate your work, while secretly working against you).
During the course of our lifetime, we run across people whose thoughts and actions influence our lives. Whereas, we never bring to fruition our own hopes and dreams. We are so in tuned to what others think we can't do that we end up doing nothing at all. How many times have you thought of going back to school and a so-called friend was so negative that you decided against it? How many times have you been compelled to start a business, but after talking it over with a family member and allowing their thoughts to become your thoughts, you decided not to?
Negative thoughts and actions are "darts" hurled by dream killers which opposes the gift and creativity which God has placed inside of you. It is a ploy of satan to compel the believer into believing that all things are not possible with God.
Nehemiah was the son Hachaliah and possibly from the tribe of Judah, which became deeply grieved when he learned of the conditions of the Jerusalem after the Jews had been released from captivity. His brother Hanani, informed him the "Holy City" was desolate and the walls of Jerusalem had been torned down and the gates burned
When Nehemiah heard this, he became deeply trouble and grieved before the before the Lord in fasting and prayer. The Lord comforted Nehemiah and gave him favor before King Artaxeres, noticing the countenance of Nehemiah, he aked him what was wrong (Nehemiah 2:1-4):
1Early the following spring, in the month of Nisan,* during the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes' regin, I was serving the king his wine. I had never before appeared sad in his presence.
2So the king asked me, "Why are you looking so sad? You don't look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.
3Then I was terrified,but I replied," Long live the king! How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire."
4The king asked, "Well, how can I help you?"
In the book of 2 Chronicles (26:1-23) Eliakim was the brother of Jehoahaz King of Judah who after only 3 months he was deposed of by the King of Egypt for failure to pay tribute. The King of Egypt replaced Jeohahaz with Eliakim and changed his name to Jehoiakim. He was twenty-five years old when he became king, however he did evil in the sight of the Lord.
Jehoiakim ruled for eleven years, until King Nebuchadnezzar of Bablyon sieged Jerusalem and bound Jehoiakim in bronze chains and took him away to Bablyon. He also took treasures from the Temple of God. Then, Jehoiakim's son Jehoiachi became king next.
Jehoiachin became king at eighteen, but only ruled for three months and ten days, because he also did evil in the sigt of the Lord. Whereas, King Nebuchadnezzar took Jehoiachin to Babylon. Again, many treasures from the Temple of God were taken this time, too. Nebuchadnezzar named Jehoiachin's uncle, Zedekiah as the next king in Judah and Jerusalem.
However, Zedekiah did evil in the sight of the Lord, and refused to humble himself to the prophet Jeremiah when he spoke directly to him from God. He even rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar, although he took an oath of loyalty in God's name. His stubborness soon got in the way, and likewise of all the leaders and priests under his realm. They began to follow pagan practices and desecrated the Temple of the Lord. Finally the Lord could no longer restrained anger.
So, the Lord handed them over to Nebuchadnezzar, and his army burned the Temple of God and tore down the walls of Jerusalem. The Babylonians killed young men, women and the old who had infirmities. The few who survived were taken as exiles, and became servants to the king and his sons.
In the book of Ezra (Ezra 1:1-5)God the stirred the heart of King Cyrus to put a proclamation in writing to rebuild the Temple of God in Jerusalem, after the stubborness of Zekekiah and the leaders and priest became more and more unfaithful. However, the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the Jews were rebuilidng a Temple to the Lord God of Israel and lied by saying (Ezra 4:2):
2So they approached Zerubbabel and the other leaders and said, "Let us build with you, for we worship your God just as you do. We have sacrificed to him ever since King Esarhaddon of Assyria brought us here."
But Zerubbabel, Jeshua and the other leaders of Israel opposed them by saying:
3"You may have no part in this work. We alone will build the Temple for the Lord, the God of Israel, just as King Cyrus of Persia commanded us."
Now let us be reminded, of the forcible deportation of the Jews; from their native land, and their forcible detention, under the Assyrian and Babylonian kings. The kingdom of Isarel was invaded by three or four successive kings of Assyria, ending the kingdom of the ten tribes of Israel.
However during his first regin as king of Babylon, Cyrus issued a decree liberating the Jewish captives, and permitted them to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the city and the temple. It is noted that the first caravan of people who aligned themselves under Zerubbabel, amounted to 42,360 (Ezra 2:64, 65) besides 7,337 men-servants and maid-servants. Others joined later and total about 12,000, probably from the ten trinbes who had been carried away into Assyria.
But as always, some stayed in Samaria and mingled with the Samaritans, and became bitter enemies of the Jews. Those who chose to stay in Assyria, adopted the customs and idolatry of the nation where they were being entreated as slaves and became wholly swallowed up in them.
Just as it is with some of us today. We allow the negative influences and people in our lives to sway us from our hopes and dreams. We adopt the world-systems and yet become bitter and entangled in them, when things don't go our way. Liken unto the children of Israel, we become accustomed to eating the "onion leeks" and "fleshpots."
When we seek the ways of God, as always someone comes along who is envious and jealous because you choose to rise up against the standards that man has set for you, and choose to live by the standards of God. You begin to see God's plan for your life, but here comes a so-called friend (family member, etc), who appears before you pretending to celebrate your decison to leave the confinement of Israel and experience the finer things of life in Caanan. They agree to help you and be a part of your plan to succeed, but secretly they work against you, hoping you fail.
These hinderances are the six-fold opposition to the work of God in your life. Whether the darts are thrown by man under the guise of satan or satan, himself. These are all devices that are preventing you from crossing the Red Sea through dry land.
A few nights ago, a young lady asked me why I always seem to speak about Egypt. I told her because the children of Isarel remind me of myself. That is until, I begin to learn of who I am in Christ Jesus.
The point I'm trying to make is that God told Moses (Exodus Chapter 14:15-16) to pick up his staff and raise is hands over the sea to divide the water so Israel could walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground.
Moses heeded to God's command and raised his hand over the sea (Ex.14:21-22) and the Lord opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind.
As I was sharing with the young lady the spirit of the Lord, reminded me how synonymous the parting of the Red Sea and the splitting of the Curtain of the Holies of Holies, are so significant to each other. Over 2000 years ago and more, Moses parted the Red Sea, with a mere staff through the power of God. To be followed by Jesus, whose death, burial and ressurection split the Curtain which stood between us and God, so that we would always have a clear and open path to HIM.
Yes, my friends can you see the path of the Red Sea is still open to you. Even though the waters of life are raging all around you, God still has a a way of escape for you.
Therefore, believe in the gifts, He has created in you. Dare to be all you can be through Him. You are the "beloved" of God. Stop listening to man and trust God. You will be amazed at the things He will do through you; in you and for you.
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