Seeds of Wisdom

The book of Nehemiah also offers a guarantee and confidence of the strength the joy of the Lord provides. In a time like this where anger and fear exist, one must turn to the giver of joy. Nehemiah experienced a moment of frustration and antagonism when he embarked on the journey of building the broken-down walls of Jerusalem. One would imagine that he would be received gladly and supported to accomplish what God had laid in his heart, but the reverse was the case.

Let us look at what Jesus asked the disciples. As these two disciples of John leave to follow Jesus, Jesus turns to them and says, ‘What do you seek?’ That is as probing a question today as it was then! Jesus knew that people come to Him for a multitude of reasons – then and now.

David’s question, “Is there not a cause?” was an indictment of his brother’s fear, lack of faith, wrong motive, and passivity. Some challenges or giants are preparing you for bigger ones tomorrow. If you are fearful and do not go after these challenges, how can you expect giants to come down? Go after it!

Jesus’ work is twofold in nature: He opens and shuts doors. He said about Himself, “I am He that openeth and no man shutteth. I am He that shutteth and no man openeth.” Opening and shutting doors is symbolic of Jesus’ authority.

Waiting on the Lord is not passive, it always comes with a condition. The Lord does not just ask us to wait on Him but as we wait on Him and ‘keep His way’, He brings the results – ‘exalt you to inherit the land’.

The recounting of Israel’s journey in Psalm 78 serves as a stark reminder of the danger of limiting God through doubt and unbelief. Despite witnessing miraculous interventions, they succumbed to doubt, placing limitations on the Holy One of Israel.

In John 14:1, Jesus issues a profound call to belief, urging His disciples to trust not only in God but also in Him. The same call echoes through the corridors of time to every believer today. The question resounds: Do you believe?

In the encounter between Jesus and Nathanael, a profound truth unfolds – God intimately knows each one of us. Nathanael’s question, “How do You know me?” is met with a revelation of divine awareness, assuring us that God sees us in the quiet moments, under our personal fig trees.

In Isaiah 50:7, we encounter a powerful declaration of unshakable confidence in God’s faithfulness. The imagery of setting one’s face like a flint symbolises resolute determination and unwavering trust in the Lord’s help.