Distractions

Scripture:  Ezra 4:4  “Then the local residents tried to discourage & frighten the people of Judah to keep them from their work”

 

Observation:  The people of Judah were getting on with the job they had been called to do – rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem.  But their enemies weren’t going to sit idly by & see God’s people succeed.  They would try all they could to prevent it.  Any work of God is going to meet with opposition!  There will be times when discouragement & fear will come knocking at the door.  The important thing to realise is that these are ploys of the enemy to keep God’s people from His work!!

 

Application:  How often have I allowed discouragement & fear entrance to my life when they have come knocking at my door?  How often have I allowed them to keep me from my work – work that I know God has called me to do?  How important it is for me to be aware of the wiles of the enemy – of his tactics & strategies which are clearly designed to keep me from my work!!  Simply recognising them for what they are must surely help me to ignore that knock at the door – no matter how persistent!  Furthermore, knowing that the Lord has called me to a particular task should encourage me to realise that He would never call me to something without enabling me to complete it for His glory – which means that, no matter how bleak & discouraging things may appear, the Lord will ensure all things work together for my good, for His plans are to give me a hope & a future.  As Jesus says in Luke 9 today, “ Anyone who puts a hand to the plough & then looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God”  To allow discouragement & fear to dictate is like looking back when ploughing – the furrows won’t be straight & the work will be ineffective!  The Lord’s word to me today is to keep looking forward, with my hand on the plough, focussed on God’s work, on His directions & purposes, and refuse to allow discouragement & fear a foothold lest the work He has called me to do be rendered ineffective!

 

Prayer;  Dear Heavenly Father,  thankyou for Your Word that shows me so clearly how the enemy would try to distract me & keep me from the work You have called me to do.  Forgive me for the times I have opened the door to discouragement & fear in the past.  When these things come knocking again - & I know they will, Lord – help me to recognise them for what they really are – distractions of the enemy – that I might keep the door closed, keep my hand to the plough, my face forward focussed on You, completing the work You have given me to do for Your glory.  I long to hear You say to me: “Well done, good & faithful servant”    

In Jesus’ Name

Amen    

 

Sue Otto