Basic HTML Version
“I Cannot Come Down”, September 19
Nehemiah 6
I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the
work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?
Nehemiah 6:3
.
Nehemiah was chosen by God because he was willing to cooperate with the
Lord as a restorer.... When he saw wrong principles being acted upon, he did
not stand by as an onlooker, and by his silence give consent. He did not leave
the people to conclude that he was standing on the wrong side. He took a firm,
unyielding stand for the right
Every device that the prince of darkness can suggest will be employed to
induce God’s servants to form a confederacy with the agents of Satan.... Like
Nehemiah, they should steadfastly reply, “I am doing a great work, so that I
cannot come down.” God’s workers may safely keep on with their work, letting
their efforts refute the falsehoods that malice may coin for their injury. Like the
builders on the walls of Jerusalem they must refuse to be diverted from their
work by threats or mockery....
As the time of the end draws near, Satan’s temptations will be brought to
bear with greater power upon God’s workers. He will employ human agents to
mock and revile those who “build the wall.” But should the builders come down
to meet the attacks of their foes, this would but retard the work. They should
endeavor to defeat the purposes of their adversaries, but they should not allow
anything to call them from their work. Truth is stronger than error, and right
will prevail over wrong.... In Nehemiah’s firm devotion to the work of God, and
his equally firm reliance on God, lay the reason of the failure of his enemies
to draw him into their power. The soul that is indolent falls an easy prey to
temptation; but in the life that has a noble aim, an absorbing purpose, evil finds
little foothold....
God has provided divine assistance for all the emergencies to which our
human resources are unequal. He gives the Holy Spirit to help in every strait,
to strengthen our hope and assurance, to illuminate our minds and purify our
hearts. He provides opportunities and opens channels of working. If His people
are watching the indications of His providence, and are ready to co-operate with
Him, they will see mighty results
[269]
29
The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 3:1135
.
30
Prophets and Kings, 659, 660
.
278