FAILURE IS IMPOSSIBLE

Failure Is Impossible

This work had been done with the help of our God.

Nehemiah 6:16

READ NEHEMIAH 6:1–9

“Failure is impossible!” These words were spoken by Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906), known for her immovable stance on women’s rights in the US. Though she faced constant criticism and later an arrest, trial, and guilty verdict for voting illegally, Anthony vowed to never give up the fight to gain women the right to vote, believing her cause was just. Though she didn’t live to see the fruit of her labor, her declaration proved true. In 1920, the nineteenth amendment to the Constitution gave women the right to vote.

Failure wasn’t an option for Nehemiah either, mainly because he had a Powerful Helper: God. After asking Him to bless his cause—rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem—Nehemiah and those who had returned to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon worked to make that happen. The wall was needed to keep the people safe from enemies. But opposition to the cause came in the form of deception and threats. Nehemiah refused to let opposition deter him. He informed those who opposed the work, “I am carrying on a great project” (Nehemiah 6:3). After that, he prayed, “Now strengthen my hands” (v. 9). Thanks to perseverance, the work was completed (v. 15).

God gave Nehemiah the strength to persevere in the face of opposition. Is there a task for which you’re tempted to give up? Ask God to provide whatever you need to keep going.

By Linda Washington

REFLECT & PRAY

Precious God, I need Your help to keep going with the work You’ve given me to do, no matter what the cost may be.

How do you normally handle opposition? What cause are you willing to fight for, no matter how tough the opposition?

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

Nehemiah recognized that his enemies were seeking to “harm” him (Nehemiah 6:2). When their attempts at “diplomacy” failed, they tried to bait him with false accusations made in an unsealed letter (v. 5). An unsealed letter could be read by anyone and was likely used to spread the rumor that Nehemiah was really plotting to become king. Nehemiah refuted the charge (v. 8) and turned to God in prayer (v. 9).

To learn more about the time of Nehemiah, visit christianuniversity.org/OT128-07. Tim Gustafson