The message today shows us that we can accomplish great things for Our Lord despite the strong opposition of the enemy, that we inevitably will face. From the onset, let's know this: Attempt anything for God, and you will be the target of the devil's attack. We see in NEHEMIAH, our main character, qualities of leadership, determination, "sticking-to-it-iv e-ness," a man of faith, a man of prayer, a man of undaunted purpose. He was a tactician, a meticulous planner a man of vision. I may be one week late for a Father's Day message, but anyway God's word is never late, and it speaks to men and women alike, anytime and every time. 0 that we would have the characteristics and attitude of Nehemiah, when we are about Our Father's business.

As a memory verse I would like us memorize NEH3: 6 "I AM DOING A GREAT WORK, SO I CANNOT COME DOWN"

The perspective we have about what we do, determines the importance we have to it. Nehemiah knew how to put his priorities right. This fact is made quite clear by his explanation in the rest of the verse, "Why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you." That response of his in itself is a clear determinant of success or failure. How many of us have let ourselves be distracted and as a result have left many goals unaccomplished, and many tasks incomplete. Here is an apt illustration. The project was a prestigious multi billion-dollar palace being built, designed by a renowned architect, as our Bro. Peters. A youthful lad, a water-carrier in the project, was asked, what was his occupation. He promptly responded I am part of the team that's building the palace. This lad had caught the vision and appreciated his role as being vitally important to the project as a whole. We are all engaged in building the Kingdom of God. No matter how perceived small a part we play, it is very important in the sight of God, and we should engage that task with sincerity and dedication, in our service to Our Lord Jesus Christ.

I see in Nehemiah a similar quality attribute as was found in Moses. Heb.ll:24-27" By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasure in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible." Moses knew who he was, and to whom his allegiance was due, and so he humbly obeyed and followed God. Of the many dispersed, displaced, persecuted Jews that resulted from their captivity, Nehemiah fared well, being a trusted, well respected cupbearer of the king. He was comfortable, treated well, had an employment with excellent fringe benefits. What more can someone like him really want, as compared to the pain and suffering that others of his brethren were enduring.

Thank God He knows how to make us very uncomfortable at times. Yes I say very uncomfortable at times. Paul in the New Testament prayed to God sincerely, three times that his thorn in his flesh should be removed. "And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness" 2 Cor. 12:9. In the case of Nehemiah, his discomfort came by way of the news he received from one of his brethren named Hanani. No doubt Nehemiah knew what Psalm 137: 5-6 states," If I forget thee 0 Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning, If I do not remember thee, Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, If I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy." He heard of the demolition, desolation and desecration of his people and country. Neh. 1:3 "The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire. (4) And it came to pass when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of Heaven."

What will it take to make you weep. We have become so calloused and hard-heartened that it would seem that nothing moves us anymore. Do you remember the words of Jesus when He said in Jn. 5:3,4. Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Jesus is called the sympathizing Jesus, the compassionate Christ. He wept openly at the death of Lazarus, when He saw the grief of Mary and Martha, He wept over Jerusalem, concerning its impending judgment for not embracing Him as their Lord and Saviour. In today's day we hear of natural disasters and all kinds of abuse and brutality, the devastation cause by alcohol, and illicit drugs, broken homes and families, rampant immorality, the eradication of Biblical Values, with its dire consequences, what the Bible calls, " Their glory being their shame," The daring, glaring sinful lifestyles, that is praised and heralded. Do these things vex our souls? Are we driven to repent on behalf of the sins of our generation?

Indeed the walls are broken down and the gates are destroyed with fire. Without the protective walls of parentage and family, a whole generation is being lost to. the world. Without the walls of honour and respect and fear of God, our society is at the point of ruin at the seams, and what is revealed is gross, horrific and terrible. Jesus said in Lk. 17: 26-30 "As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be in the last days of the coming of the Son of man, They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot: they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built, but on the day that lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so it will be when the Son of Man is revealed." Nehemiah understood the significance of the wall in his day, and so he was moved to pray. In a Book of thirteen chapters, eleven times in the text it is recorded that Nehemiah was engaged in prayer. Does this not sound a bit like 2 Chr. 7:14 "If my people, which are call by My Name, shall humble themselves and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked way; then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. "

Isa. 58:12. And they that shall be of thee, shall build the waste places; thou shall raise up the foundations of many nations; and thou shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of paths to dwell in. "

Because of Nehemiah's obedience and sensitivity to God's will, the wall was rebuilt, the city of Jerusalem was re-established. The people heard the words of the Lord by the priest Ezra. They mourned and wept and repented, and that resulted in forgiveness, myrth and merriment and fellowship, which brings us to our next text to be memorized, Neh. 8:10 "For the joy of the Lord is your strength. "

IN THIS CHRISTIAN RACE, WE ARE CALLED TO BE PARTICIPATORS AND NOT SPECTATORS.

LET'S FAITHFULLY DO OUR PART, IN BUILDING THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THIS WORLD.

All Bible Verses: KJV