The question of the hour seems to be “What do we do now?” What do we do now that we have a new president in the White House? What do we do now that things didn’t go as many of the prophets told us? What do we do now that we’re still fighting COVID-19?
I don’t know about you, but I know what I’m going to do. My intent comes through the words of one of my favorite old hymns: “I shall not be moved.”
My faith is not rocked by man’s error. Even though many charismatics and evangelicals supported one candidate, that candidate did not become president. Even though a number of prophets believed they heard from God, changes came in the opposite way they predicted. Even though leaders gave us various dates when the pandemic might end, more than a year has gone by, and we’re still coping with its effects.
But my faith or trust in the Lord has not been moved. Nothing in the natural world has the power to do that. I will continue to say, “Like a tree planted by the water/ I shall not be moved.”
That’s my answer. It’s the only answer I have. It’s the only answer I need.
During my 10 years as a senior pastor, I repeatedly asked one question to the congregation: “What will move you away from the cross? To another church? Out of your home? To another job?”
It seems important for me to know what rattles my cage. It’s why I pray throughout the day, “Lead me not into temptation.” In the catacombs of my heart, I know that whatever happens, I shall not be moved. Not the president, not the prophecies, not even the pandemic can move me away from the cross. I shall not be moved.
More than 300 years ago, the Pilgrims first set sail for America to seek religious freedom and to seek revival. They wanted more of God.
We need modern-day pilgrims who will stand up for religious freedom, who will seek real revival and press us to seek more of God. We need godly leaders who will encourage us to stand firm in our faith. We need a forest of trees planted by the water.
Of course, waves of doubt will rush in. But the tide ebbs as God’s Word compels us to stomp our feet on solid ground.
The book of Nehemiah provides powerful encouragement to those who find their feet in mushy turf. In Chapter 1, Nehemiah is far from his Jerusalem stomping grounds but burdened by the “gloom, despair and agony” there. His response provides some guidelines for us to follow:
Fasting and Prayer (Chapter 1): Instead of remaining stuck in discouragement, Nehemiah turned to the Lord. He confessed and called on God’s mercy.
Respect for Authority (Chapter 2): When King Artaxerxes noticed Nehemiah’s dismay, he asked about what troubled him. Nehemiah honored his leader by answering honestly and respectfully. And God used the pagan king to bring him back to his homeland with resources for rebuilding.
Thoughtful Leadership (Chapter 3): As he examined the destruction of the wall, Nehemiah could have thrown up his hands and cried, “Woe is me!” Instead, he let the great task move him toward great leadership. He developed a positive plan to share the load.
Perseverance Under Pressure (Chapter 4): Despite open taunts from their enemies, Nehemiah and his team persevered. They had determined not to be moved, and they completed the task. Nehemiah’s reminder to his fellow Israelites is surely a word for today: “Our God shall fight for us” (Neh. 4:20b).
Nehemiah had his own song about the position of his feet. When bad guys tried to convince him to come down from the wall he was dedicated to complete, he bellowed one of the most powerful replies in the Bible: “I am doing a great work and cannot come down” (Neh. 6:3, BSB).
Stable feet produce godly outcomes.
Dr. Steve Greene is the publisher and executive vice president of the multimedia group at Charisma Media and executive producer of the Charisma Podcast Network. His Charisma House book, Love Leads, shows that without love, you cannot be an effective leader. Sign up for his free “5 Things I Learned Last Week” and “Greenelines” newsletters, and download his Greenelines and At Work With God podcasts at greenelines.com.
This article was excerpted from the April issue of Charisma magazine. If you don’t subscribe to Charisma, click here to get every issue delivered to your mailbox. During this time of change, your subscription is a vote of confidence for the kind of Spirit-filled content we offer. In the same way you would support a ministry with a donation, subscribing is your way to support Charisma. Also, we encourage you to give gift subscriptions at shop.charismamag.com, and share our articles on social media.
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