The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Nehemiah 6:1-4, “Now it came about when it was reported to Sanballat, Tobiah, to Geshem the Arab, and to the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall, and that no breach remained in it, although at that time I had not set up the doors in the gates,
2 that Sanballat and Geshem sent a message to me, saying, ‘Come, let us meet together at Chephirim in the plain of Ono.’ But they were planning to harm me.
3 So I sent messengers to them, saying, ‘I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?’
4 And they sent messages to me four times in this manner, and I answered them in the same way.”

Nehemiah was a servant to King Artaxerxes. When the king noticed Nehemiah’s sadness, he asked why he was sad. Nehemiah replied that he was sad because he had learned that the walls of Judah, his hometown were broken and in need of repair. The king asked Nehemiah how long he would have to be gone. Nehemiah gave the king a definite time, and the king gave him permission to go and attend to the rebuilding of the walls.

It goes without saying (although, I am saying it here) that anytime the LORD’s people are seeking to serve Him, there will always be those who object and seek to interfere with the LORD’s work that they are trying to accomplish. So it was with Nehemiah. Sanballat and Geshem were his adversaries, and they did everything they could to discourage Nehemiah and his workmen. One of their tricks was wrapped in a note that said, “Let’s meet together…” They didn’t say why they wanted to meet, which gave Nehemiah the thought that they intended to do him harm, and thus, hinder the wall’s repair.

Sanballat and Geshem were persistent; yet, Nehemiah stood firm and refused to meet with them. Often what we are already doing is of more value than stopping to listen to some adversaries. Nehemiah was there to rebuild the walls of the city, not to debate with others. Follow Nehemiah’s example: just keep on doing what is right in God’s sight. God doesn’t engage in nonsense! Listen only to Him! Read His Word every day and pray! Get direction for the work He has for you, and stick with it! In the long run, you will be blessed by the LORD! And what could conceivably be better than that?

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom