Don't Come Down From The Lord's Work!
When Sanballat and Geshem sent word unto Nehemiah that they wanted to meet with him in one of the villages in the plain of Ono, he responded, "I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?" (Neh. 6:3). From this verse two observations are in order:
1. Nehemiah knew that he was "doing a great work." As we think about being about the Father’s business (Lk. 2:49), we need to be reminded that we are engaged in the greatest work in the world - the salvation of lost souls (Mk. 16:15-16)! Not only that, but God does not consider our part in the kingdom as unimportant. Read carefully 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. Yes, every child of God is important and needed in the Lord’s work!
2. Nehemiah asked a penetrating question which is certainly applicable to the Lord’s church today, "why should the work cease...?" Whether you realize it or not you are very influential. Paul reminds us of this fact in Romans 14:7 when he said: "For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself." Beloved, when a child of God comes down from the Lord’s work, not only does his part stop, but his actions stand as an example for others to follow. Many voices are calling for God’s children to come down from the work. Beloved, do not allow anyone or anything to cause you to stop working for the Lord!
If you are not engaged in the work of the Lord, I encourage you to do so immediately, not only for the sake of your soul, but countless others as well!
Remember - don’t come down from the Lord’s work!
Ivie Powell