A young couple arrived in Kenya as newly appointed missionaries, and very quickly, the wife found out that the comforts of home were non-existent there.
They lived in a village hut with no running water or electricity.
They had to take a bath in a nearby creek.
There was no air conditioning.
And after a few days of this, the wife was ready to pack her bags and go back home.
Her husband was somewhat concerned, but felt that with time, her attitude would change.
If, someway, he thought, she could gain a special appreciation for Africa, she would more desire to stay. For he just knew the Lord had definitely called them to the mission field.
So the husband devised this great plan. They would take a mini-vacation and view the countryside, and through this time, he just knew she would have a change of heart. And so they packed up and went on a weekend getaway.
They traveled through a wildlife reserve and saw the elephants and giraffes.
They then drove to Victoria Falls, and took in one of the most beautiful sites in all of Africa.
And there at the falls is a statue of that great missionary statesman and man of God, David Livingstone who is shown saluting the falls.
The husband eagerly shows his wife the statue, and hugging her, whispers in her ear, "Now honey, David Livingstone, what do you think he was thinking when he made that poise?"
She smiled, "He was thinking, 'I've had it up to here with Africa!'"
Question: Have you ever thought what she thought? Of course you have!
It might have not been with Africa, But all of us have had it up to here with something or someone.
The situation just hadn’t turned out the way we imagined.
Someone has said something or did something that was just plain stupid, that makes us want to scream, ENOUGH!
But there’s something worst than giving up on something or someone –
And that’s giving up on God!
There are believers, maybe some of you here this evening, that have given up on God’s wonderful plan for your life.
Some disappointment, an unanswered prayer that you discouraged, a tragedy that left you searching for answers,
And if I’m talking to you, you’re not alone.
For the Bible is filled with stories of great disappointments.
If anyone had a reason to be disappointed with God, it was the children of Israel, who saw their country invaded and captured by the Babylonians.
The temple in Jerusalem where God supposedly reigned was destroyed.
The people were deported to Babylon, forced to live in a foreign country and learn its customs, and bow down to its gods.
The people were both discouraged emotionally, and disappointed with God.
God’s Prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel begged the people to continue to follow God, but many did not listen.
Years later, when the Persians conquered the Babylonians and allowed the Jews to return to their homeland, most chose to remain in Babylon where they now had become accustomed to its ways.
But a remnant did return. Ezra put the number at 49,897 who returned their homeland and rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem.
Thirteen years after this exodus, Nehemiah, a cupbearer for the Persian king, received a visit from his brother and some other men:
Nehemiah 1:3
3 They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”
Nehemiah was became deeply disturbed and mourned for his fellow Jews. For Nehemiah knew the wall was Jerusalem’s only means of protection from the enemies destroying the temple again.
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Nehemiah became passionate about helping out, but one man stood in the way of Nehemiah returning to Jerusalem to help -- the King of Persia.
But God intervened and after much prayer, Nehemiah received permission from the king to go and rebuild the wall.
Nehemiah journeyed to Jerusalem, the wall was rebuilt, and then at the dedication ceremony, now Governor Nehemiah had these words to say to the people:
Nehemiah 8:10
This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
What a tremendous boast!
THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH!!
Question: How was Nehemiah able to say that?
Because Nehemiah learned by experience when the joy of the Lord was His strength.
The joy of the Lord is your strength. The joy of the Lord is my strength!
AND I BELIEVE WHEN DISCOURAGING TIMES COME, WE TOO CAN MAINTAIN THE COURSE OF GOD’S PLAN IF WE KNOW WHEN THE JOY OF THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH.
1. THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH WHEN I AM SCARED TO DEATH.
Nehemiah 4:6-8, 11
v. 6 So we built the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart,
v.7: But when the Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the men of Ashdod heard that the repairs of Jerusalem's walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. v. 8: They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble for us.
Nehemiah 4:11-12
11 Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.”
12 Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.”
The Men BECAME literally scared to death! They had read their death warrants!
The believed the rumors: the enemies were coming to kill them, and now everyone is literally shaking in their sandals!
Question: Have you ever been literally scared to death?
Winter day
It was a cold, blustery winter day. School had been canceled in north Texas because of ice on the rural roads.
I was thrilled, just as any boy my age would to not have school for a day.
For fun, my older brother, Richard, and I went down to small pond in the field, to have some ice sliding fun.
Question: Have you ever done that? Slide on ice in the shallow part of the pond?
I had a blast!
But then yours truly, being the instigator, dared my brother to venture out on the ice in the deeper part of the pond.
He said he wouldn't, So I called him chicken.
Richard still wouldn’t do it, so I double dared him!
And I knew he wouldn't do it!
But you've heard the saying, "Curiosity killed the cat."
In this instance, I became the cat. I thought it would be a lot of fun, and on top of that, I’d show my brother who was the bravest of them all!
So slowly, I began to edge from the shore, all the time yelling back to Richard, "This is fun, you chicken!!"
Suddenly, my ear picked up a cracking sound, and down I went.
Unable to get a firm grip on the edge of the hole, I begin sinking down in the icy water.
My brother was screaming! I was crying.
No one to help.
But just as the water reached the bottom of my nose, so my tippy toes reached the bottom of the pond.
My life was spared that day for a reason.
Smelling death? Death was already in these people’s nostrils. They just knew they were about to die!!
WHEN IT COMES TO THE CHOICE ON WHETHER TO LIVE OR DIE, NOT TOO MANY WOULD CHOOSE THE LATTER.
Senior Citizen
A senior in her late eighties, decided to move to Israel.
As part of the preparations, she went to see her doctor and get all her charts.
The doctor asked her how she was doing, so she gave him the litany of complaints -- this hurts, that's stiff, I'm tired and slower, etc., etc., etc.
He responded with, "Mrs. Siegel, you have to expect things to start deteriorating. After all, who wants to live to 100?"
She looked him straight in the eye and replied, ...."Anyone who's 99."
When you get right down to it, we are bound to do anything to live!
Can’t you hear the workers crying out to Jeremiah:
Let's stop building the wall, and maybe our enemies will have pity on us!
People today try anything to stay alive a little long:
That’s why you see men and women out running three miles before sunrise, and eating broccoli for breakfast – in hopes they will live longer.
Question: Why did Jeremiah say, "The joy of the Lord is your strength?"
Because Jeremiah knew His God held the keys to one’s strength of years, and holds the key to life.
The apostle Paul later on, summed up his joy in the Lord with this exclamation:
1 Corinthians 15:55-58
"Where , O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH WHEN I’M SCARED TO DEATH.
2. SECONDLY, THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH WHEN I AM DOG TIRED.
Jeremiah 4:6, 10
v. 6 So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.
v. 10, Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, "The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall."
“ Jeremiah,” We've just about reached our limit. There’s too much rubbish to move! We’re all dog tired!
When was the last time you got so dog-tired you couldn’t go on working for the Lord?
Rudy
Most of you have met Rudy, my Maltese. Rudy loves to take walks, and if you drive down Broadway heading West, many evenings, you might see Rudy pulling pastor Billy along.
And Rudy hates big dogs. He’s pretty vicious when big dogs come around because I’m with him. He usually lets out the biggest bark he can muster.
Now, while Rudy likes walks, they can’t be too long, for his short legs can only go so far.
Before long, Rudy dog tired – he’s panting, his walk slows, and he’s just ready to get back home.
When you and I are dog-tired, that’s when we can find God’s strength.
God wants me dog-tired. God wants you dog-tired. For that’s when God can use us, because we can’t depend on our own strength, we have to depend on His!
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Isaiah 40:30-31
30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
But when we get dog-tired, God can begin His perfect work in our lives, reshaping us the way He wants by using us in His strength.
Are you scared to death? Are you dog-tired? Know the joy of the Lord can be your strength
3. THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH WHEN I AM DEVESTATED.
Question: What was Jeremiah feeling during this time? The Bible doesn't really say, but I can imagine some doubts and fears begin to linger in his mind.
THE WALL'S HALF UP, AND NOW THE ENEMY IS COMING TO KILL US ALL, THE WORKERS HAVE PRACTICALLY GIVEN UP HOPE.
LORD, I BELIEVE YOU WANTED ME TO LEAD YOUR PEOPLE TO RECONSTRUCT THE WALL, AND NOW WE’RE IN DEEP TROUBLE?.
THE ENEMY WANT TO KILL US, THE WORKERS ARE DOG TIRED.
WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?
JEREMIAH COULDN’T HELP BUT BE FEARFUL AND COULDN’T HELP BUT PRAY!
Pastor
A pastor asked a little boy if he said his prayers every night.
"Yes sir," the boy replied.
"And, do you always say them in the morning, too?" the pastor asked.
"No sir," the boy replied. "I ain't scared in the daytime."
I CAN IMAGINE JEREMIAH HAD A LONG TALK WITH GOD IN THE DAYTIME AND NIGHT TIME!.
And God instructed Jeremiah with a working strategy:
Nehemiah 4:13-14
13 Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. 14 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 brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”
Andrew Jackson, 7th president of the United States once said,
One man with courage makes a majority.
Nehemiah had courage because of the working strategy AND THE PEOPLE RESPONDED
Yes, Nehemiah could boast, “the Joy of the Lord is My Strength.”
The Joy of the Lord is my strength when I’m scared to death, when I’m dog-tired, when I’m devastated, and fourthly and I believe most importantly
4. THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH WHEN I KNOW HIS PRESENSE.
Nehemiah 4:15
15 When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to his own work.
The workers were now at peace— God was now in control, and they could do their work.
Question: Are you aware of God’s presence?
Paul Newman
While buying an ice cream cone at a Thrifty Drug store in Beverly Hills, a woman was amazed when Paul Newman walked in and stood right behind her.
Although quite rattled, she was determined to maintain her composure.
She proceeded to pay for her ice cream cone then confidently walked out.
Once outside, though, she realized she didn't have her cone.
Not wanting to look foolish, she waited a few minutes before reentering the store.
When she did not find her ice cream cone at the counter, she paused to contemplate where it might be.
A soft tap on the shoulder interrupted her, and she turned to find Paul Newman.
He politely told her if she was looking for her ice cream cone, she had put it in her purse.
If one can become preoccupied when a famous actor is around, how much more important for you and I to realize that no matter where we are, God is always with us.
Psalm 139:1-3
O Lord, Thou hast searched me and known me.
2 Thou dost know when I sit down and when I rise up;
Thou dost understand my thought from afar.
3 Thou dost scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And art intimately acquainted with all my ways.
Isaiah 41:10
10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Do you know the Lord’s presence this evening. If you do, the joy of the Lord will always be your strength, when you’re scared to death, when your dog tired, when you’re devastated. My prayer is that you will know His presence!
