Multi-Tasking Tools Neh. 4:7-23  CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO

Multi-Tasking Tools

Neh. 4:7-23

Multi-tasking is very popular today, and it is really encouraged. Nehemiah had multi-tasking down to a fine science when he was attempting to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. His enemy had him where he had to try to build and battle the enemy at the same time. He accomplished God’s will in building the wall. We have an enemy that requires us to battle him and try to accomplish God’s will at the same time. This passage shows us some tools that will help when we are trying to build and battle.

The First Tool                    Foreknowledge                Verses 7-8,11-12

                They knew that they had an enemy and that they were coming. They had foreknowledge. We also have an enemy, [1 Pet.5:8] and we have been given plenty of foreknowledge of him. With foreknowledge as a tool, you will not be blindsided, the world or the flesh should never surprise you. [verse 11-12], beware of the enemy within. Sadly, some of our most deadly enemies are those of our own household or family. Remember Judas!

The Second Tool               Fearlessness                      Verses 14-15, 20

                [Verse 14], “Be not ye afraid…” They were commanded not to be afraid. We too have been told not to fear, [1 Tim.1:7]. [Verse 20], Nehemiah said “our God shall fight for us.” We too have that promise but be careful! Make sure that you are exactly where God wants you or you may be left to fend for yourself. Israel was doing exactly what God wanted at the time, so they could expect God to fight for them. A great tool is the tool of fearlessness, [Prov.29:25], just make sure that you fear God and not man.

The Third Tool                   Fellowship                         Verses 16-22

                [Verses 16-18], they all worked together, [Verses 19-20] they organized their efforts, [Verses 21-22] they sacrificed for each other. All of this is the tool of fellowship. At church we say, “many hands make light work”. Fellowship that this church provides for you is very valuable in the multi-tasking that you must do every day.

The Fourth Tool                Focus                                    Verse 23

                They were completely focused on building the wall and battling the enemy and nothing else! Focus is probably the most important tool. We are distracted by our expectations that we add to God’s will.

Illustration:

                A story has been told of a time when the Lord told a man he had work for him to do and showed him a large rock in front of the man’s cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might. This man did, day after day. For many months he toiled from sun up to sun down, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might. Each night, the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out.

Seeing that the man was showing signs of discouragement, Satan decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the man’s mind such as: “You have been pushing against that rock for a long time, and it hasn’t budged. You are never going to be able to move it.” These thoughts began to discourage and dishearten the man even more.

In the mist of battling discouragement, the man decided to make it a matter of prayer and take his trouble to the Lord. “Lord,” he said, “I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which You have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not budged that rock by half a centimeter. I am failing You.”

To this the Lord responded compassionately, “My friend, when I asked you to serve me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to me, with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back sinewy and sturdy, your hands are callused from constant pressure, and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much, and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Yet you haven’t moved the rock. But, son, I did not ask you to move the rock. I simply asked you to push. It is my job to move the rock.”

We need to stay focused on exactly what God has put in front of us, Israel did and accomplished God’s will. If we will use the tool of focus, God will accomplish His will through us.