PRAYING AND WATCHING

“Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night" (Neh. 4:9 NKJV).

There was great opposition to the rebuilding of the walls around Jerusalem during Nehemiah’s time. Nevertheless, the Jews prevailed anyway because of praying and watching.

Praying – “Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God.” We can pray in any situation. No matter how great the difficulty, we can still pray. Luke 18:1 reminds us “that men always ought to pray and not lose heart.” The great source of help is God. People often turn to every other source of help rather than God. The reason many folks do not turn to God is that they do not have a personal relationship with God. People who do not know God will be slow to pray to God; but those who know God, like Nehemiah, will be quick to turn to God in times of trouble. We must have a good relationship with God if we want a good prayer life.

Watching – “We set a watch against them day and night.” The Israelites not only prayed to God, but they were also on the lookout for their enemies. Sometimes we forget the “watch” part. Praying does not eliminate watching. Watching does not mean that the person praying lacks faith in God. Rather, it shows that the person is not lazy and irresponsible. God does not work on our behalf in a way that will make us lazy or irresponsible. He does not answer prayer or work miracles to keep us from profitable labor. If we pray for a safe journey in our car, we still need to be watchful and keep our eyes on the road. If we pray for God’s help to make ends meet, we will still need to keep a watchful eye on our expenses so that we do not spend our money foolishly. If we pray to overcome temptation, we still need to be watchful that we do not enter places where temptation will assail us. Sometimes our failure is not prayerlessness but watchlessness.

(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“Prayer is not a substitute for working, thinking, watching, suffering, and giving!”

Anonymous

Word Study

Doubting

In James 1:6 we read, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind” (NKJV).

Doubting is the Greek word diakrinō (διακρίνω = dee-ak-ree'-no). It is made up of two words: “dia” which means separation and “krinō” which means to distinguish, to decide, to judge. Thus the word means to make a distinction, decide, judge, dispute, doubt. Literally, it means to judge between two.

In Classical Greek, the primary idea is that of differentiating by separating. Diakrinō occurs in judicial decisions and in documents which refer to the process of making a decision either through examination or testing. In the Septuagint diakrinō carries the idea of judging or governing as well as choice and discernment. In the New Testament diakrinō means to discern, to judge, or to make distinction. Additionally, diakrinō is used in the New Testament to mean doubt.

As used by James, diakrinō means to be at odds with one’s self and so to hesitate or waver. One author says it is pictured by the idea of divided in one’s mind. This person is the one who is vacillating between two opinions or decisions. James reminded his audience that prayers are to be asked “in faith,” nothing wavering.

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – Messiah would be wounded for our sins (Isa. 53:5))

New Testament Fulfillment – 1 Peter 2:24

Bible Facts

The Bible describes dinosaurs (Job 40:15-24). In 1842, Sir Richard Owen coined the word dinosaur, meaning terrible lizard, after discovering large reptilian-like fossils. However in the Book of Job, written 4,000 years earlier, God describes the behemoth as: the largest of all land creatures, plant eating (herbivore), with great strength in its hips and legs, powerful stomach muscles, a tail like a cedar tree, and bones like bars of iron. This is an accurate description of sauropods - the largest known dinosaur family.

Bible Quiz

Under which great Jewish Rabbi did the apostle Paul studied?

**Answer to last week’s trivia: Who in the New Testament could be described as a worrywart (one who worries excessively and needlessly)? Martha (Luke 10:41)

That’s in the Bible

"Hand against every man”

“He shall be a wild man; his hand shall be against every man, and every man’s hand against him. And he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren” (Gen. 16:12 NKJV).

“Hand against every man” - The expression “hand against every man” carries the idea of constantly being in conflict with others. The implication is that Ishmael would be a man of courage, but would be an aggressor full of hostility. The phrase “hand against every man” thus refers to a person who is violently aggressive, constantly at odds with other people and nations.

Did You Know - Christian History

John Geddie was born April 10, 1815 in Banff, Scotland. He was a Scots-Canadian missionary who was known as “the father of Presbyterian missions in the South Seas.” He pioneered missionary work in the New Hebrides islands, now known as Vanuatu. He was a Presbyterian minister and was the first to be sent from Canada to do missionary work.

As a pastor on Prince Edward Island John showed such zeal for soul-winning that he became an obvious candidate for mission work. With his wife and his children by his side, John set sail for Polynesia from Halifax, Nova Scotia on November 30, 1846.

After exploring the Pacific islands, they settled on Aneiteum, a small island at the tip of the New Hebrides chain near Australia. Conditions on the island were appalling as traders exploited and abused the inhabitants and brought them deadly diseases. The natives lived in squalor and ignorance, as they had for centuries.

Nevertheless, John buckled down to the task of learning the new language so that he could explain Christianity in words the people understood. For three years he labored and taught. And although his school grew to 120 pupils, wicked practices continued. When he traveled the forests, the natives would hurl stones, clubs and spears at him. Several times he was hurt. He grew discouraged.

Then in 1851 things changed - several chiefs were converted to Christianity. Suddenly the churches were overflowing. Little Aneiteum was now sending missionaries to other islands!

Sixteen years after coming to Aneiteum, John and his family returned to Canada for a furlough. They toured the nation telling of their work. While home, John translated the Psalms into the Aneiteum language. John died on December 14, 1872 in Geelong, Australia. A tablet placed in his memory said, “When he landed in 1848, there were no Christians here, and when he left in 1872 there were no heathen.”

A Little Humor

The deacon ran into the pastor’s office and exclaimed excitedly, “Pastor, I have terrible news to report! Burglars must have broken in last night. They stole ninety thousand dollars worth of pledges.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Eternal life is the only life insurance you can collect after death!”