Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Nehemiah 6:9, “For they all were trying to make us afraid, saying, ‘Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be done.’ Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.”

Background

What is your normal reaction time? There was a booth at the State Fair that tested your reaction time in a car by having you sit in a simulation machine and measure your ability to respond to certain situations that arose unexpectedly. Once it was determined how quickly you responded on average, and what were the possible consequences of that response time, the apparatus then began to delay the response of the simulator to give the effects on the person as if they were driving under the influence. A person with quick reactions saw his response time slow to a fraction of what it was normally, and one with already slower times became grossly delayed in their ability to react to the situation. Avoidable crashes would occur, pedestrians not immediately noticed were hit, and normal changes in traffic patterns were sometimes barely detected. The intent was to reinforce the inherent danger that comes with driving in general, and how much more dangerous it is to drive while under the influence.

Application

We have little say in how quickly we respond ordinarily, and even less control when influenced negatively. But in our walk with Christ, is that the case? I wonder if too many of us concede that we have little control over our reactions, and even less when something negative affects us? I have seen too many people who are resigned to reacting in anger or frustration when things don’t go their way, regardless of the size of the offense. Whether by habit or choice, these people respond in a way that only serves to increase their burden. But not Nehemiah. Repeatedly he was threatened and coerced and enticed, all with the end goal of instilling fear in him and thwarting his plan to rebuild the Jerusalem wall. But each time, he immediately turned his problem and the problem makers over to the Lord. His first reaction was always for God to handle the situation and give him what he needed to endure. He never chose to shrink down to the size of the antagonism. But if you do, begin now to work on your reaction time. Work on leaning immediately on the Lord.

Charge

As we seek Him today, pray to God beforehand for the faith and perseverance to lean on Him immediately. And then pray to Him immediately when the faith and perseverance is needed.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words