When motorcycle riders approach a sharp turn in the road, they strive to look beyond it to the direction they want to head. By looking ahead—where they want to go—they can ride smoothly through the turn and continue on their journey.
Nehemiah was looking ahead to where God was leading as he sought to head back home to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. In time, the king of Persia granted his servant Nehemiah’s request to return from exile back to Judah. Upon his return, the former cup-bearer for the king and his fellow laborers rebuilt the walls in just 52 days (Nehemiah 2:1-6, 6:15).
As governor, Nehemiah helped to facilitate the repopulation of the city of Jerusalem, assisted in purifying the Jewish community for worship, and enforced the cancellation of debt. He also assisted Ezra in proclaiming the Law of Moses. Later, after a brief visit with the king of Persia (Nehemiah 5:14, 13:6), he returned to Jerusalem only to find that the people were again living in disobedience before God (Nehemiah 13:7-27). Nehemiah was furious! He purified the temple, the priests, and the Levites, and he again enforced the observance of the law of Moses (Nehemiah 13:30). He kept looking forward as he faithfully served God during difficult days (Nehemiah 13:14).
Jesus never promised an easy ride through this life. In fact, He said we would face challenges. The loss of a loved one, unemployment, unmet expectations, illness, and broken relationships are all twists and turns we may face. Jesus did say, however, that we should take heart because He has overcome the world! (John 16:33). By focusing on where we’re going and the God who goes before us, rather than the obstacles we face, we’ll find that He provides what we need to enjoy the ride.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 1:57-80
More:
Read Matthew 6:25-34 and consider what it means to keep our eyes on God as we journey through life.
Next:
What opposition, obstacles, or twists and turns are you facing today? Instead of focusing on these problems, how can you fix your eyes on Jesus and where He’s leading you?
gagirllive on June 8, 2016 at 7:34 am
Ruth, the one and only time I was ever on a motorcycle was when I was 12 years old. My daredevil brother-in-law convinced me that it would be the “ride of my life”. It was pretty thrilling, but as I tried to get off that ride my right leg made a connection with a very hot pipe and it left quite an impression on me. Let’s just say, the thrill was gone. 🙂 I’ve given up on motorcycle rides, but I am called to a persevering faith and obedience. How is this possible? Hebrews 12: 2 holds the answer. “Let us fix our eyes upon Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” As I lean into God on the ride, set my face like flint upon Him, I know that He will take me all the way home. Like Christ, there is joy set BEFORE me…but there is also joy IN the journey. I am learning to enjoy where I am on the way to where I’m going. I think that’s the key to having the ride of our lives…enjoying the journey. No matter how many curves come up on the journey, no matter how many bumps in the road, He rides WITH us…revealing to us the hidden beauty of life’s often treacherous paths. Great encouragement and reminder, Ruth, to persevere with joy. Thanks…and enjoy your ride today!
Ruth O'reilly-smith on June 8, 2016 at 9:55 am
That does sound like a painful motorbike experience gagirllive. I love your Bible reference. May we keep our purpose, in Christ, always before us and yet remain aware of and find joy in what God’s doing in and through us in the challenging and the mundane stuff of life.
godlove on June 8, 2016 at 12:22 pm
So true, gagirl, when we know that Christ rides with us, it gives those bumps on the road a whole new perspective as they suddenly don’t feel as “bumpy” anymore. 🙂 By the way, sorry for your mishap with the motorbike, looks like that experience scarred you, physically and mentally. I hope you and your brother-in-law now remember that day with a laugh, a mixture of different experiences (and the memories made) makes the journey even more fun! May we all keep enjoying the journey here while it lasts.
Gary Shultz on June 8, 2016 at 10:28 am
Hi Ruth. No matter what you are driving looking ahead is good advise, the further, the better. In our spiritual journey I would call it hope. The obstacles and curves in our everyday trips, we must sometimes drive on by faith. Any trip has uncertainties, even if it’s just to the grocery store, some times those are the most perilous. I don’t even know if we will always enjoy the ride; however, if we are following the path God is blazing for us it will all come together when we get to our destination, and He can give us peace as we roll…Keeping flesh away from hot parts is also highly recommended. Thanks Ruth.
gagirllive on June 8, 2016 at 10:53 am
LOL…”Keeping flesh from hot parts is also highly recommended.” Was that for me, Gary? Um, yeah…I learned that lesson well. 🙂 And you’re right…we won’t always enjoy the ride, but I think we can enjoy the journey. Christ Himself is the joy in the journey. In His presence there is fullness of joy. We are called to rejoice in the Lord always. In everything give thanks…these are the ways to a joyful journey. Blessings to you, Gary!
godlove on June 8, 2016 at 12:10 pm
Thanks Ruth, Jesus has indeed overcome the world! It’s all about having “faith”, isn’t it? “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen” (Hebrews 11:1). The great examples of faith in Hebrews 11 show us the benefit of focusing on the destination and not on the difficulty of the path. Like Jesus taught, “The gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it” (Matthew 7:14). When we focus on the goal, we are encouraged to keep looking forward, despite the momentary setbacks we might face.
Gary Shultz on June 8, 2016 at 9:43 pm
I don’t often get time to chat, but yes it was. Glad that pain was in the past.
kevinmarsh on June 8, 2016 at 10:44 pm
We live in an age where it seems that evil is growing and people are treating other so bad that I wonder what the future holds for this country. I feel like Nehemiah in the face of all we are facing but I am not sure how to help to turn it around. I pray daily that God will use me to make a difference.
hsnpoor on June 9, 2016 at 4:50 pm
Read something recently that said the speed of life is picking up pace so rapidly, mainly due to technology, that our senses have become all but desensitized (gateway of evil) and as we come to the inevitable bumps or curves in the roadway of life, we can’t slow down fast enough to avoid the inevitable crash. The truth of this is the crashed and burned out lives of so many people who populate the landscape of our lives and, yes Kevin, it is a bit overwhelming, as well as heartbreaking. The Bible tells us that God will allow sin on this earth to run its’ course. In the meantime, what we can do is be salt & light and offer those who are thirsty a drink.