It’s that time! McAllister’s is offering their Free Iced Tea Day next Thursday, June 21st

Wichita on the Cheap has a list of Father’s Day Deals to enjoy this weekend, including a free sub, free entrance for Dad to Cowtown and the Zoo – including their Car Show. You’re sure to find something of interest for the father in your life.

You know the Advanced Learning Library’s Grand Opening is Saturday June 16th, right? The list of events is delightful, runs all day long, and is definitely worth your time. Plus the library’s neighbor, Exploration Place, is offering a ticket discount if you show them your library card. It always pays to visit the library. So grateful for this new addition to our city.

Have you been to the Farmers’ Markets this season? There are many to choose from, including:

• Old Town Farmers’ Market (whose webpage now features an interactive vendor map)
• Kansas Grown Farmers’ Market at 21st & Ridge Saturdays from 7-noon
• Lincoln Heights Farm & Art Market every Wednesday from 7 -11 am.
• Green Acres Farmers’ Market every Tuesday from 3-6 pm

Catch Jonathan Fritzen at Bradley Fair’s Free Summer Concert Series next Thursday, June 21st. It’s from 7:30 – 9:30 pm, but people begin setting up their chairs that morning, so catch your spot early.

Seen at Johnson’s Garden

Did you know David Sedaris is coming to Wichita? The tour for his latest work, Calypso, is being held exclusively at independent bookstores across the nation, and he’ll be here Wednesday, June 20th at 6 pm. Get your ticket here, which includes a copy of his book and a space in the signing line.

I love summer. Have a great weekend!

“Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, according to these things that they did, and also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who wanted to make me afraid.”

Nehemiah 6:14 ESV

Last time we listened in on Nehemiah’s response that he should hide away in the sacred temple without the authority to do so. Today we get an insight into his prayers to Elohim.

Bring to mind (zakar), Elohim, these deeds Sanballat and Tobiah have done (maaseh – deed, wrought). Moreover (gam), the prophetess (nebiah) Noadiah (whose name means “meeting with Yah”) and the other prophets/speakers (nabi) who would have me (hayah) in improper fear (yare).

The first thing our governor did in his prayer is ask Elohim to remember. We’ve seen this before when Nehemiah was asking God to remember him for the beautiful. Here he asks our Remembering God to bring to mind his enemies’ wrong deeds against him.

Before we jump all over Nehemiah for praying something opposite for his enemies than for himself, let us remember all he was experiencing at this point. For weeks, and at every turn, those opposed to what God had sent him to do had tried to thwart the work, discourage him and the people, and threaten his life. Nehemiah had resisted multiple attempts to get him to leave his calling, sin against God, and save his own skin. So what does he do? He tells God exactly how he feels.

At this point our governor does not want to show mercy. He is not interested in removing the plank from his own eye first. He does not care about praying for those who persecute him. He wants justice. He wants God to remember how they’ve hurt him.

What do you think would happen if Nehemiah stayed in this state of mind? What happens when you stay here? Likely not anything good.

But suppose Nehemiah did nothing with all his anger and hurt at injustice. What would happen then? What happens when you leave things unresolved or ignored? Usually nothing good.

So perhaps Nehemiah was dealing with things in the best way. Pouring out his heart to God rather than others or his enemies. There’s likely no other way for him to get to the place of looking at eye planks, offering mercy, or genuinely praying. He would have to start with his heart. We all do.

No matter how right you think you are in any given situation out there, what would it take to get to kind? To forgiveness and personal humility and agape love? Could we start where Nehemiah did? On our knees, dealing with our anger so we become aware of our own shortcomings, ready to hear others out? It has been very clear this week in the news that people are hurting. Life is so hard, friends. Let’s not make it harder on each other.

Nehemiah’s complaints to God focus on more than Sanballat and Tobiah. He specifically points out the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who would seek to make him afraid.

What a gut check, Believers. What is our motivation in speaking God’s Word or being his spokespeople? If the illusion of power to make others fall into improper fear is our goal, let’s fall on our faces now. The Sword of the Spirit is a weapon against darkness, not humans made in the image of Elohim.

“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.“

Ephesians 6:11, 17-18 NLT

If it’s true that it won’t be by might nor by power but by His Spirit that Kingdom work is accomplished, let’s first be concerned with the issues in our own hearts and petitions before the King in prayer. Only then will we be able to share God’s Word with compassion and emulate His kindness that leads to repentance.

The only yare we ought to desire to inspire in speaking forth His Word is the reverence of such a magnificent, glorious Most High God and His spectacular ways for creation. May we go in that desire and His authority.

We haven’t done this in a minute. Let’s go!

Have you heard about the Say Yes! Pass? If you missed the launch party on Monday, no fear. We just signed up yesterday at the Wichita Transit Station and it took maybe 8 minutes for our boys to get sweet photo cards for free rides on the bus, free entry to any public pool, and other great stuff. Love that our city is investing in our kids. (Thanks Wichita on the Cheap for the details on this!)

Speaking of our city, have you joined in at Riverfest yet? Today and tomorrow, June 8th and 9th, are the final days. But the activities are still in full force. Plus, free fireworks show tonight and Saturday night. Bring the lawn chairs and enjoy!

Next, don’t forget tomorrow, June 9th, is 2nd Saturday. Be sure to check out all your favorite shops on Douglas and get 15% off. Plus The Workroom will be hosting their 2nd Saturday Market with live music, food trucks, and local vendors.

Speaking of saving, the Lincoln Heights Village is hosting an ice cream social tomorrow from 1-3 pm. Watermark will be continuing their Sidewalk Sale while you eat. Take advantage of their $1 super sale, $3 paperbacks, and $5 hardback books!

How about the Library Summer Reading program?

The theme this year is Libraries Rock, and every kid 18 and under can receive prizes for every 10 days they read books or participate in activities. And check out other upcoming activities the library offers here. Love the library. (The new downtown branch is opening soon!)

Bradley Fair is featuring their free, outdoor Summer Concert Series again this year. Bring your chairs and hear to Taps Mugadza near the lake on Thursday, June 14th from 7:30 – 9:30.

Yoga on the Lawn is going strong at the Wichita Art Museum. Join in for a free stretch and strengthen workout tomorrow, June 9th, at 9:00.

I’m sure I’ve missed stuff, but it’s been awhile. Smile. Hope you have a wonderful weekend loving the people in your life!

“But I said, ‘Should such a man as I run away? And what man such as I could go into the temple and live? I will not go in.’ And I understood and saw that God had not sent him, but he had pronounced the prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. For this purpose he was hired, that I should be afraid and act in this way and sin, and so they could give me a bad name in order to taunt me.”

“Later I went to visit Shemaiah son of Delaiah and grandson of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home. He said, ‘Let us meet together inside the Temple of God and bolt the doors shut. Your enemies are coming to kill you tonight.’” Nehemiah 6:10 NLT

Last time we listened in on Nehemiah’s response to Sanballat’s 5th inquiry to meet. Our governor held his ground, pointing out how the reports Sanballat was spreading were made up from his own leb – mind/inner man. Today we see the next phase in our drama.

“Then I met secretly with Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, at his house. He said:

“Then I sent to him, saying, ‘No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind.’ For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, ‘Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.’  

But now, O God, strengthen my hands.”

Nehemiah 6:8-9 ESV

Last time we saw the end of Sanballat’s 5th appeal for Nehemiah to leave the work and meet with him, using false rumors the king might hear about our governor wanting to become his own king. Today we see the response Nehemiah gave to the enemies of God’s work.

“I urgently sent away (shalach) saying, ‘No such (elleh) things (dabar) have been done, for surely (ki – because, since) you yourself are inventing (bada – devise, feign) out of your own mind (leb – inner man, will, heart, one’s own mind, the center of anything).'”

Or: I urgently sent away that no such reports are true for surely you yourself are making it up out of your own mind.

Don’t you love that reference to leb – our inner man, the center of everything? We can know based on experience and the authority of God’s flawless Word that whatever is on the throne in that place is what drives our lives. It is what we think on, what our affections delight in, and what drives our actions. Leb matters my friends.

Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life. (Proverbs 4:23)

Everything you do flows from it.

Let’s make sure what is on that throne can sustain the weight of all our thoughts and affections and worship. No thing can, no fellow human being can. Only the One worthy of all reverence and awe, our Consuming Fire, can sustain our ultimate delight. And only He consumes our lives without torching them to ashes.

If we find something else has been placed on that throne, we don’t have to fret or scramble to do PR. We can simply repent beginning today and ask Him for help to put Him back in His rightful place. He created that place for only One Thing and He’s too good of a Creator to let anything else there satisfy. So today, in your heart, set Him apart as Lord. Every hour if you have to. The entire direction of your life depends on it.

For they all wanted to frighten (yare –  affright, reverence) us thinking, “their hands (yad) shall slack (raphah – fail, abandon, lose courage – as seen before), and the work (melakah – work, business, cattle, craftsmanship) will not be accomplished (asah).

Or: They wanted to put wrong fear in us thinking our hands would get discouraged and slack, and the work would not be accomplished.

Funny thing when our leb is not focused on what is focus-worthy how easily we’ll fall into the wrong kind of yare. Fear of approval, fear of scarcity or change, of losing love or security or reputation. But how interesting it is we can still experience and grieve those same things, but they’re not a snare that causes us to abandon purpose or hope when our yare is securely focused in Him. Our reverence and healthy fear of Yahweh keep all other fears at bay. What a beautiful reality to grow in.

Finally in these verses we see our governor ask for the courage he will need to continue on in the task:

“But now, O God, strengthen (chazaq – firm, strong) my hands (yad).”

The work is still daunting. Fears still can nag at us and doubts creep in. We fall into pleasing others and temptations still have their sway. We want control or security or our desires fulfilled more than we want to move forward. And that’s why we need a perfectly-faithful, Covenant-keeping God to supply the power. Our weakness an infinite canvas upon which He can paint His strength.

In His hands – yad, powerful help alongside – we have all we need. Moment to moment, not just down the road or for certain tasks. For our all-encompassing life. He wouldn’t ask for our total allegiance and worship if He didn’t intend to give us power for all of our days. There is no down side with His ways, no reason to hold back bits of our hearts, though we still do. As we allow Him to take over more and more we only see Him come through increasingly. What a Savior!

Are there areas in which you doubt He will come through in your life right now? In your community or our nation or a particular setting? Me too. But we serve the God of Hope. We can know He is up to only the good and beautiful in our surrendered lives and corporate communities. Astonishing splendor is awaiting us in a future too exquisite for us to now comprehend. The ultimate way He has promised to come through can keep us focused on our disappointments in the here and now.

Life is hard and the work challenging. But He makes it all worth it.

Now, O God, strengthen our hands.

“And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem,

‘There is a king in Judah.’

And now the king will hear of these reports. So now come and let us take counsel together.”

Nehemiah 6:7 ESV

Last time we read some untruthful venting for all to see from Sanballat. Today we see the rest of the accusations in the letter.

“And (gam – moreover, also, likewise) you have appointed (amad – to take one’s stand) prophets (nabi – spokesman, speaker, prophet) to announce (qara – cry, invite, make proclamation, call forth, be famous, preach) saying (amar):

‘There is a king in Judah.’

The king will hear (shama – listen with intention to obey) these reports (dabar). So come (halak – go, walk, come, depart, be eased, be conversant) let us take counsel (yaats – consult, advise) together (yachad – completely, safely, one accord, united, together in unity).

Or: Moreover, the word is you have appointed prophets to take their stand and proclaim/preach/make famous the fact there is a king in Judah. The king will listen carefully to these reports. So let’s walk and talk about this as we consult together safely and in unity.

There is so much irony in these verses and some of the Hebrew definitions. Remember, Sanballat is seeking to get Nehemiah out from his work and brothers and co-laborers so he might kill him. But he has used this word yachad more than once in his appeals to our governor. It means “safely together, complete unitedness, one accord”. Under the guise of safety and united helpfulness, Sanballat is setting Nehemiah up.

Friends, God is turning things upside down in our day. The Spirit is shaking and we see the results everywhere. No matter how committed we are to Jesus and the Church, there will be times when we want to shrink back from all the madness. And sometimes we’ll do this in the name of unity.

Friend, if you recognize yourself in that last sentence, I’m right there with you some days. The crazy can overwhelm and conflict can make me sick to my stomach. But a false sense of unity that ignores what’s broken is no unity at all. And someone is usually left to struggle with injustice if our go-to is to sweep things under the rug.

Let’s take courage today. Without bitterness or resentment, let’s acknowledge the shaking and speak the truth to one another because it’s the loving thing to do. Let’s refuse the lie that seeking only our own interests never hurts anyone else.

Another irony of these verses and Sanballat’s appeal is how insistent he is Nehemiah come to him versus going to Nehemiah. If it was really that urgent, if he genuinely cared about the welfare of the new governor, wouldn’t he be willing to go directly to him? Particularly if he’s asked four previous times and been turned down?

There’s so much to be said for going to our brothers and sisters instead of waiting for them to come to us. Whatever the situation, if we’re committed to genuine unity, let’s be willing to make the trek. We all have blindspots, gaps, and areas of blatant sin. We do not need to get defensive or retreat; we can simply move toward each other, united in our common humanness.

Of course, our trek toward each other may not be face to face. We can make the first move in how we interact online, the way we speak about someone else in our daily lives, and the space we hold in conversations for people or positions with which we disagree. But, please, if there is someone in your community with whom you do need to get face to face, let’s obey there too. We won’t be going anywhere as a Church or a nation without this step, friends. And we all know we need to.

In every appropriate venue, let’s genuinely “walk and talk about this as we consult together safely and in unity.”

“In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand.

In it was written,

‘It is reported among the nations, and Geshem also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king…'”

Nehemiah 6:5-6 ESV

Last time we saw our governor’s persistent resolve as the enemies of rebuilding urgently sent messages 4 times to have Nehemiah abandon the work and meet them. Today we see the persistent, but rebellious, resolve of these same enemies.

For a 5th time Sanballat urgently sent away (shalach) an open (pathach – to loosen, to vent) letter (iggereth) in his servant’s hand (yad).

Or: An open, venting letter was in Sanballat’s servant’s hand.

I’ve been wondering about the significance of this letter from Sanballat being open. The other option would be sealed with his signature, for Nehemiah’s eyes only. Instead, the definition “vent” seems appropriate in this instance. The messenger likely could read it, along with anyone else who had a mind to. When sealed with wax and a signature in tact, the only person who could open it was the intended recipient; it would be apparent if the sealed had been tampered with by anyone else curious to see.

Why do you think Sanballat sent it as an open letter? Why venting for anyone to see?

Personally, I think it’s frustration. Four times his plan to take out Nehemiah had been denied. The fifth time came with not only an open letter, but one full of untruthful rumors and accusations.

There are few things that can spur us to action like trying to defend ourselves, huh? It genuinely bothers us when others think poorly of us – especially if they have wrong information. I think Sanballat was trying his best to get some compliance to his evil plan of killing Nehemiah by tapping into his pride.

Has the enemy done this to you? Made sure you knew just enough false information was being said about you by others to get you abandoning your purpose and focusing on taking up for your reputation? Oh man, me too. There’s something so upsetting about knowing people think wrong things about our character or actions – even if some truth is laced in there. And it is so hard to trust God with our reputations and continue on with our work.

But that Hebrew word yad? In the context of Yahweh, our Covenant God, it is translated “powerful help alongside”. And He is faithful even in this area. He can vindicate our character and heal relationships without us abandoning love or our purpose.

But I want to make sure and add a caveat for us in our days of unrest and injustice. There is a time when advocating for ourselves and others is our purpose. When speaking truth to lies and repairing broken relationships has nothing to do with being obsessed with our reputation, but rather has to do with love and genuine justice. In fact, it will look like laying down our reputations even more often in order to speak truth to power and right wrongs.

“It is reported (shama – to hear, call together, discern, announce, give earnest heed, listen attentively, keep on listening, truly obey) among the nations you (yourself – attah) intend (chashab – consider, calculate, devise, plot, purpose) to rebel (marad – absolute against the king, in this particular instance) and have hovering over you (al) to become (hava – to be/breathe) king.”

Or: The open letter said, “Among the nations it is announced you have a plot hovering over you to absolutely rebel and become king.”

First of all, let’s chat. If this is a true motive of your heart – if one of your reasons for committing to your work and advocating for yourself or others is from rebellion or even bitterness, please seek God on your knees. He loves you too much to let such plans succeed. Further, although becoming king is likely not a practical goal of any of ours, if fame is right up there, please repent. If your work or advocacy is to make your name great not only will it surely fail, but it will never, ever satisfy. It’s not what any of us were designed for.

There is only One King. No one can usurp His throne. Our boys ask about Jesus taking on the bad guys often. Youngest said just today, “What’s the enemy’s name? I keep forgetting.”

Friends, we only have to remember one Name: Jesus. If His Name and ways and Word are in our minds, on our hearts and tongues, that is what we will be calling others to and announcing. That word shama has an understood obedience attached to it. Did you notice some of the definition included “call together, give earnest heed, listen attentively, keep on listening, truly obey”?

He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Oh, let’s listen, friends. God is doing something in our day and we want – no, need – ears to hear. We need to choose surrender and service daily. And a posture of humility which listens to Him and our brothers and sisters. May the only thing we as a Church are known among the nations to be devising is lifting high the True King and each other above ourselves.

Let that be our open letter to the darkness.

“So I sent messengers to them with this reply:

‘I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?’

Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer.”

Nehemiah 6:3-4 NIV

Last time we saw Nehemiah discern the intent of a message sent from those who were enemies of God’s work of rebuilding in Jerusalem. Today we see the reply and persistence of our governor.

So I sent (shalach – cast off, forsake, urgently sent away) messengers (malak – angel, ambassador) with this reply:

“I (myself – ani) am doing (asah – accomplishing) a great (gadol – exceedingly, major, mighty, prominent, spacious, far, high) melakah (work: craftsmanship, cattle, business) and am not able (yakol – endure, have power) to come down (yarad – come down, descend, bow, to a lower region/shore) to you.

In other words: I myself am accomplishing an exceedingly spacious project and am not able to descend to you.

If we follow Jesus, we know descent is a primary purpose. To follow our Savior’s lead by humbling ourselves, bowed down in a position so any lifting comes from His own hand. Our takeaway from Nehemiah is clearly not to avoid bowing but to hold fast to our purpose. If you have seen God working and joined Him, spurred on by His Spirit, His Word, and His people, you know distractions and attacks will come. The goal is not to waste precious energy focusing on it. Rebuilding is hard work and will require us to live decided. Resolved. There is no need to descend to the attacks or negativity. We course correct as trusted people in our life speak truth, but we still stay the course.

I think it’s also important to remember exceedingly spacious work is a posture of humility and obedience. It may not seem world changing, but if we’re surrendered to the Exceedingly Spacious Spirit and allowing Him to move in our faithfulness, it changes our spheres of influence. And that is world changing. Speak up when you need to, sit down and listen when it’s right. Take time for your most important relationships and be a person of honor. Be kind with your words and be a genuine friend to someone different than you. Use any influence you possess to build others up and point to Him.

Nehemiah continues in his reply with “Why (mah – of what end/good purpose) should the work cease (shabath – cease, desist, cause to fail) while I leave (raphah – fail, abandon, lose courage, slack) the work and come down (yarad again) unto you (el – against, toward, beside)?”

In other words: “Of what good purpose should the work sabbath while I slack on it to descend toward you?”

We know Sabbath is crucial. The art of regularly resting to acknowledge God is the Giver of all Good Things, Jehovah Jireh our Provider, is a command. But this form of ceasing, giving up when God is clearly on the move, is an act of rebellion. One way we can know this is so in this context is the use of raphah for leave. For Nehemiah to leave the work, it would be slacking or abandoning God’s call on his life.

One way to keep us on course with exceedingly spacious projects of the Spirit is to ensure healthy resting. Pray so you remember Who is in control. Sabbath so You can focus on relationship over results. Meditate on His Word so truth guides you not emotions. Live in healthy community to avoid burn out and temptation. Cook a meal, paint a picture, walk in nature, laugh over coffee. Play a board game, read a book, write someone a handwritten note. Fill your lungs with air and let it out slowly. Relish your creatureliness and your Creator. Give away something, play in the rain, get off your phone. Look at old photos, listen to people, exercise, be generous with hugs. Play with children, say you’re sorry, look people in the eye. His world is exceedingly spacious and delightful. So is His love. Rest in that regularly, even as you work.

In the last verse we see Nehemiah’s persistent resolve:

“They urgently sent away (shalach) this (zeh) same answer (dabar – word, answer).

And I refused (shub – to turn back, return, refuse) and returned this (zeh) same answer (dabar).”

In other words:

“They urgently sent away this same word four times.

And I refused with this same answer each time.”

To be resolved means to cling to what is true. There is a way to cling to truth that alienates others and lacks the fruit of the Spirit. And there is a way to hold fast to truth in one hand and love in another. Grace and Truth like our Master. Resolve is very different from needing to be right. Resolve puts obedience ahead of popular opinion without putting self above others. Resolve clings to truth because it is the best way to love.

Where do you need to cling to truth in a situation? Not so you can be right, but so you can be obedient to God and loving to others? Nehemiah knew to obey the message would be to disobey God’s call to complete the work, put those he loved at risk, and descend toward the enemy. So despite the repeated attempts to get him away from his calling, he persistently refused.

Let’s be loyal like Nehemiah. Let’s put obedience to God above approval so we can love others. Let’s use our voice and influence on behalf of others in an exceedingly spacious and joyful work. And let’s refuse to be deterred from what He’s called us to do, no matter how urgent or persistent the message.

Let’s resolve.

Last time we saw Nehemiah recounting the ways he’d laid aside his political rights as governor to not tax the already-burdened people. Today we get a glimpse of what happens when the wall rebuild nears completion.

“When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem and the rest (yether – abundant, plentiful) of our enemies (oyeb – adversary) heard (shama – announce, proclaim, attentively) we had rebuilt the wall…”

Friend, if you have been obedient to what God has called you to do, perhaps at the same time not doing what others may want you to do, you can be guaranteed to have plentiful enemies. Not only other flesh and blood humans who may disagree, but evil in the spiritual realm who would rather see anything other than someone fully devoted to a God-given task.

When the Spirit moves and we join Him, it will be announced, proclaimed in the spiritual realm. Suddenly evil that seemed to have previously missed your home pulls up to your address. We can wonder why everything seems to be falling apart if we are doing God’s will. We must fix our eyes. Things will be shaken when the God of the Universe is on the move.

One thing that intimidates our enemy is the lack of gaps (perets – bursting forth, gap, breakthrough, mishap) in our rebuilding. As we walk closer and closer to Him, refusing to hold back sections of our heart or obedience in certain tasks, there are fewer and fewer breaches in our lives and work for evil to break through. Our walks become more airtight, our integrity in tact because of His grace upon us. And nothing could make the enemy of the Good more furious.

It’s interesting to me that Nehemiah points out here how he and the rebuilders had not yet set up the doors in the gates. The work remained unfinished yet the plentiful enemies were shaken. Feeling compelled to somehow stop the work.

If we keep in mind the battle is never ultimately against flesh and blood, we can move forward in conflict with confidence in His protection. Praying against powers and principalities in His authority, and loving and serving others in His Name. But that doesn’t mean we give up the work. What He’s given us to do will be done even if we don’t obey. But what a thrill we miss out on if we shrink back in fear or self-doubt or because of past failure. Fortunately, if that’s been our situation, we can start today – right now – asking for the faith to jump back in and join. He is worthy and His work in our lives fills us with purpose.

At this point, the human enemies of God’s work in Jerusalem sent word for Nehemiah to meet (yaad – appoint, assemble, summon) together (yachad – unitedness, one accord, unity) in a village on the plain. But Nehemiah knew they were scheming (chasab – calculate, devise, plot) to do (asah – accomplish) harm (ra – adversity, affliction, distress, grief, evil) to him.

Discernment is so crucial during our time here, isn’t it? Some situations might not even be in the categories of evil or enemy, but they may personally be an enemy to God’s best for our focus. And disappointing others doesn’t tend to be super popular. And then there are other times when what is requested seems to genuinely sound like a good thing. Something that would come under the category of best for our focus. After all, being united in one accord is our goal. And here is where we need to be diligent in discernment.

Nehemiah’s enemies wanted to get him alone on the open plain to take him out. Our enemy wants to do the very same thing. Anything that comes under the guise of unity but seeks to tear you away from trustworthy relationships will cause more divisiveness than unity. If seeking to be in one accord takes you out from under the protection of God’s flawless Word, such accord will fall out from under you. And if unity itself becomes more of a goal than relationship with and obedience to the Creator and Sustainer of Unity, it will become an idol that can take us out of the fight.

Yes, this is tricky. But that’s why the battle – and even the work – is not the main goal. Clinging to Jesus is. Only as we are can we move forward with clear eyes and a protected mind to accomplish the task He has set before us. Let’s close the gaps in our lives in which the enemy would seek to devour us. The places in our hearts we haven’t given over to Him to have authority. None of us are gap-less, but as we move forward with Him and each other, His Spirit brings together genuine unity in the work.

Let’s cling to Him, beg for discernment, and close the gaps together.