Continuing through the Book of Nehemiah, we find Nehemiah busy with all Jerusalem rebuilding its wall. This was important work—the priority. Jerusalem needs protection from its enemies. Yet the enemies of God’s people are alarmed at how quickly the wall is being rebuilt (Nehemiah 6:1–2).
The enemy scrambles and tries one of its most successful tactics to slow everything down. Distraction! The enemy asks Nehemiah to meet with them, but how does Nehemiah respond? And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” (Nehemiah 6:3, ESV) While Nehemiah says “No” to the invitation, by default, he says “Yes” to the great work he is already doing. He can’t do both.
Saying “No” takes courage and determination! The tendency is to say yes to everything, but everything is not equally important. Notice Nehemiah’s discernment. They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us and stop the work. So I continued the work with even greater determination. (Nehemiah 6:9, NLT) Nehemiah was not concerned about offending or disappointing those trying to distract him; he was concerned about the success of what was important. He said no to the lesser because something greater was burning in his heart.
What was the result? So the wall was finished…in fifty-two days…and…when all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things…they perceived that this work was done by our God. (Nehemiah 6:15-16, NKJV)
Today’s enemy’s tactics are no different for us. The enemy sees the great work we as believers are about and comes at us with distractions. It is tempting to say yes to everything, but we shouldn’t. We need to exercise discernment, for saying “No” to the lesser means saying “Yes” to the important—for why should the important work stop for the lesser distraction? We can’t do everything! Let us, as Nehemiah, be even more determined amidst distraction to continue in the great work. It’s the only way to see success!
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Nehemiah 6-7.