Being Faithful

Jesus said “Many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 20:16, NKJ). Why is that?  Possibly because when God asks us to do something for Him, He will require us to have the kind of character that will see the completion of the task through to the end, and not to down tools and walk away when things get difficult. Testings will come in many and varied forms while we are doing what He has asked of us, but, when the months turn into years, will we be found “about our Heavenly Father’s business” when He suddenly comes to us as a thief in the night?

Nehemiah knew that God had called him to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. However, no sooner had he started the work, then almost immediately the enemy agents, in the form of Sanballat and Tobias, set about ridiculing, criticising, threatening, and attacking him to try to get him to stop God’s work (Nehemiah Chapter 4). Thankfully, he recognised that the real source of his attacks was enemy inspired. He kept going and completed the task.

Samson on the other hand, took the presence of God for granted and, though he had the kind of gifting that many in his generation would have envied, he decided he wanted to live life his way. He ignored sound godly advice from his parents. Sadly, he didn’t have the character to cement his calling in God, alongside his giftings, and it wasn’t until he went out as before, that he discovered that the presence of God had departed from him. He then paid the terrible price of loss of vision, sight and freedom. It was only because of the sure mercies of God in his final moments that he was able to defeat his enemies (Judges Chapter 16). God seals us to Him with every little decision we have to make in life when we are faithful to Him.

The Lord might open a door, but our faithfulness will enable us to hold the ground until the Lord accomplishes His plans as each season unfolds. Our day-by-day decisions, however small, can make or sabotage all that God has for us in the future. If we struggle to be faithful where He has planted us now, we won’t have sufficient maturity to handle the weight of the next season’s challenges. It takes faith and determination to remain faithful, and faith trusts God regardless of the circumstances.

May God help us to have the faithfulness and determination of Nehemiah so that we may please the Lord Jesus Christ and be found faithful at His coming.