Copyright © S P Townsend
CHAPTER 6 - COMPLETING THE TASK AGAINST EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL OPPOSITION
1. BREAKING THE SPIRAL OF SPIRITUAL DISCOURAGEMENT
THE MARKS OF SPIRITUAL DISCOURAGEMENT | |
| THE SEED | THE FRUIT |
| How can God say He loves us? (Mal 1:2) | Decline of honour, love and reverence (Mal 1:6) |
| Why doesn't God notice our service and sacrifice? (Mal 2:13,14a) | Giving God second and third best (Mal 1:8) |
| Wrongdoers get a better deal than we do (Mal 2:17;3:15) | Decline in morality and holiness (Mal 2:11,14b) |
| It's futile devoting ourselves to serve Him (Mal 3:14) | Decreased giving and devotion (Mal 3:9,10) |
• Inspiration of dedicated leadership (2:11-18) Awareness of the situation, personal testimony of God's hand, personal example, call to commitment.
• Involvement of everyone in the task (ch 3) Common purpose, partnership, individual responsibility, cf Eph 4:11-16.
• Importance given to God's word (ch 8-10) Reading, explaining, responding, obeying.
• Introduction of reforms and spiritual renewal (ch 5,10,13) Duty to man, duty to God, holiness of life.
2. OVERCOMING THE STORM OF SPIRITUAL ATTACK
THE NATURE OF SPIRITUAL ATTACK | |
| FORM OF ATTACK | OBJECTIVE |
| Accusations of inadequacy (Neh 4:2,3) | Despondancy - the task is too great (Neh 4:10) |
| Pressure on the weak points (Neh 4:8,11) | Defeatism - the enemy is too strong (Neh 4:11,12) |
| Intimidating lies (Neh 6:2-8) | Fear, weakness and discouragement (Neh 6:9) |
| Falsifying God's word (Neh 6:10) | Compromise and sin (Neh 6:13) |
| Unholy alliances (Neh 6:18) | Undermining unity and commitment (Neh 6:17-19) |
• Perseverance, with God's help (4:4-6; 6:15-16) Not in our own strength, but God's alone.
• Watching and praying (4:9; 6:9) Prayer plus guarding against threat.
• Remembering and resisting (4:14; 6:3,11) Remembering God's power and protection, actively resisting the enemy.
• Supporting each other (4:19,20) Structure, strategy commitment to ensure mutual support and encouragement.
Copyright © S P Townsend