After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” (Nehemiah 4:14, NIV)
There’s no standard line for tour caddies. It might be, “You’ve got this,” or “You know the shot,” or “That’s the club.” Not the same words, but all the same idea: Make your last statement before the player’s shot an encouraging one.
If you stand with Christ, others will stand against you, led by our great enemy.A Tour caddie never wants to be guilty of planting a seed of doubt in the player’s mind. Your positive words must leave a deep impression. So instead of saying, “Let’s keep it out of that bunker on the left,” you point out a specific target away from the bunker, affirm the player’s club selection, and end with an upbeat charge: “Show me the good stuff.”
In Scripture, we find many encouragements to encourage one another. But is this, too, about pushing the negatives away and emphasizing the positive? Yes and no
The reality of life reminds us that enemies and obstacles will rise up to challenge us. Jesus told his disciples, “He who is not with me is against me” (Luke 11:23). And, as we have already considered this week, we will face tribulation.
What might we say to all this? Plainly, we need encouragement. When the hazards of life threaten us and cause us to tremble with fear or anxiety, what we need are reminders that God is with us and strengthens our stand.
Consider Nehemiah and the people of God, working to rebuild the broken wall around Jerusalem. Their adversaries came with ridicule. Whether it was these insults, the typical weariness of untrained workers, or the magnitude of the task that led them to it, Nehemiah’s laborers complained that their strength was waning. And the threats of the enemies grew harsher, even breathing murder.
Nehemiah did not ignore these realities. He prayed and he took action, instructing the people to go to specific locations and be prepared both for work and for warfare. Then he told them, “Don’t be afraid—remember the Lord.”
Your life is no less treacherous. If you stand with Christ, others will stand against you, led by our great enemy. Be encouraged. Encourage others. Know that God is with you. There is no positive greater than the Lord!
—
Jeff Hopper
September 21, 2018
Copyright 2018 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.
OTHER DEVOTIONS IN THIS SERIES
People Who Help 1: Helping with Prayer
People Who Help 3: Helping with Truthful Words
People Who Help 4: Helping with Generosity
People Who Help 5: Helping with Hospitality
People Who Help 6: Helping by Using Your Spiritual Gifts