God has entrusted to His followers the good work of His kingdom. I often share at Refuge Church that our mission is to display and declare the good news of Christ's kingdom to individuals near and far.
What greater work is there in the world?
This work is both our joy and honor to be participants with God in fulfilling.
Like Nehemiah, who passionately pursued the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the restoration of Israel as a city of light to the nations, the church is to be a people allowing God to make us a city of light, set on a hill, shining the light of God's glory and gospel to the world.
This work, however, is not easy for this work takes place in a work of brokenness, fatigue, and opposition. Nehemiah and the men who worked to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem faced it all.
Threatened with invasion and death by enemy armies, the men worked for weeks moving rubble and rebuilding the walls. In the midst of this, they were taunted and derided for their work by their opponents, while their family and loved ones begged them to leave the work and come home. Amazingly, though, none left. They all remained on the wall!
There are in life a few works in life that are so precious as to never abandon for any reason. Following Jesus in the pursuit of Him and the advance of His kingdom ranks first.
Of course there will be moments when you are opposed in the work of the kingdom. You will be belittled for following Jesus and perhaps persecuted or put to death. Sharing the gospel may not receive and warm reception. Serving the needs of the city may come under suspicion or lead to our being pushed away. The response of others changes not the importance or urgency of the work.
Throughout the Bible we are encouraged to stay on the wall. Paul said, "Be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vein" (1 Corinthians 15:58). At another time, Paul reminded us that reaping comes to the faithful who do not give up or grow weary in the good work of God's kingdom.
Are you still on the wall?
Take a Daniel moment:
1. Give thanks to the wonderful gift of Christ to be part of His salvation.
2. Celebrate God's calling us into the work of His kingdom.
3. Pray for strength amidst adversity and opposition, fatigue and personal struggle.
4. Ask God to make clear where your place on the wall is and ask His help to see it through.
What greater work is there in the world?
This work is both our joy and honor to be participants with God in fulfilling.
Like Nehemiah, who passionately pursued the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the restoration of Israel as a city of light to the nations, the church is to be a people allowing God to make us a city of light, set on a hill, shining the light of God's glory and gospel to the world.
This work, however, is not easy for this work takes place in a work of brokenness, fatigue, and opposition. Nehemiah and the men who worked to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem faced it all.
Threatened with invasion and death by enemy armies, the men worked for weeks moving rubble and rebuilding the walls. In the midst of this, they were taunted and derided for their work by their opponents, while their family and loved ones begged them to leave the work and come home. Amazingly, though, none left. They all remained on the wall!
There are in life a few works in life that are so precious as to never abandon for any reason. Following Jesus in the pursuit of Him and the advance of His kingdom ranks first.
Of course there will be moments when you are opposed in the work of the kingdom. You will be belittled for following Jesus and perhaps persecuted or put to death. Sharing the gospel may not receive and warm reception. Serving the needs of the city may come under suspicion or lead to our being pushed away. The response of others changes not the importance or urgency of the work.
Throughout the Bible we are encouraged to stay on the wall. Paul said, "Be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vein" (1 Corinthians 15:58). At another time, Paul reminded us that reaping comes to the faithful who do not give up or grow weary in the good work of God's kingdom.
Are you still on the wall?
Take a Daniel moment:
1. Give thanks to the wonderful gift of Christ to be part of His salvation.
2. Celebrate God's calling us into the work of His kingdom.
3. Pray for strength amidst adversity and opposition, fatigue and personal struggle.
4. Ask God to make clear where your place on the wall is and ask His help to see it through.
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