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TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites. Nehemiah 2:10

Read: Nehemiah 2:9-20
Listen: Nehemiah 2

TODAY’S MESSAGE

Reading Nehemiah 2:1-9 may make it seem as if this building project is going to be easy. Nehemiah gathers the courage to speak to the king and receives his blessing. The king provides letters for safe travel and lumber, and even army officers and cavalry. The project has the blessing and favor of God himself. Yet, even with this support, Nehemiah will face challenges. Verse 10 foreshadows this. These men are going to show up again and again and they will actively oppose this project.

It is tempting for us to believe that when we do something God-honoring everything will fall into place. However, Nehemiah’s story reveals something different. We will face challenges even when we do something God-honoring. Some people may like things as they are and don’t want us to rebuild. We may try to change a sinful habit and find opposition even in ourselves. We may find family or friends do not support our new decisions. We may find the relationship we seek to rebuild gets more challenging at first. When we say “Yes” to something God-honoring we can anticipate his presence, but we can also anticipate opposition.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

Think about what you are seeking to rebuild. Reflect on challenges you may face along the way. Write down the things that come to mind. Then use Jesus’s words from John 16:33 to pray a prayer of trust. “God, I know that in this world I will have trouble. As I seek to bring you honor and rebuild, help me take heart and trust in you. Help me honor you in the way I respond to the challenges that may come. Amen.”

2023 SPIRITUAL PRACTICES

Join us all of 2023 developing a different spiritual practice each month. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES are intentional regular activities to deepen our relationship with God and mold us to be more like Jesus.

October is SERVING. Keep track of our spiritual practices at beyondtheweekend.org/spiritualpractices.

Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.