Pastor Bob DuPar
August 13, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Nehemiah 5:14-7:60; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Psalm 33:1-11; Proverbs 21:8-10

Observation

When Sanballat, Tobiah & Geshem attempt to discourage Nehemiah and prevent him from being successful, Nehemiah responds with such articulation:

“Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.” (6:8)

Nehemiah’s efforts and fortitude paid off by the time we read 6:16,

“When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.”

I liked 1 Corinthians 8:6,

“There is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.”

Finally, Psalm 33:10-11,

“The Lord foils the plans of the nations; He thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.”

Application

When we stand our ground against the opposition it’s a wonderful thing when they realize that God is the One who is helping us. That’s the best vindication and outcome that we could hope for. I need to take that stand for the Lord, trusting that He will support me with power and divine affirmation.

Psalm 33 says that God’s plans stand firm forever – not my plans, but His! I need to continually check and examine my motives to make sure that I’m following His game plan and not my own.

Prayer

“Lord, 1 Corinthians 8 sums it up beautifully: “everything came from You and You are the One for Whom we live. May my life and actions demonstrate this truth.”