Opposition  to the Comeback
Nehemiah 4, Psalm 23
 God was blessing the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls and things were going well…and then here come enemies of their cause.  What do we do when our expectations are not met? Going through the hard times does not mean that God has let us down but rather He is not meeting our expectations.

Compare a cup to a trash container.  The cup is small and basically all about self and our expectations.  The trash container is huge in comparison which is a lot like God’s boundless provisions.  We can reach down into it and receive what He has in mind for us.  He knows our needs and we can trust the fullness of  Who He is.  He knows what is best for us.

Psalm 23 starts off in the first three verses describing the Lord as our Shephard and His provision for His sheep.  In verse 4, it speaks about walking through the dark valley and we don’t like that part…yet the verse continues and gives the promise that He will be with us.

Sometimes when God doesn’t meet our expectations, we may stop attending church, praying, or whatever.  Instead, let us dip into His great resources.  In Psalm 23:5 we are told that God prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemies.

     Nehemiah 4:14: “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”

Let us put down our expectations and proclaim the truth that our God is great and awesome.  This brings hope and trust in the fullness of our God.  Let us forget what is behind and press on.  Sometimes we must forgive people and destructive things in our past.  We don’t pretend they didn’t happen but we can let God remove the pain and accept His invitation to His Table.