Related to the reading
Nehemiah 6 : 3
As the work continued, Nehemiah’s enemies became more desperate. Four times they entreated him to leave the safety of the city and meet with them under the pretense of resolving the conflict, but Nehemiah knew that their intent was to do him harm. Each time they approached him, he responded with the same answer: “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down.”
What a remarkable response! With that clear and unchanging purpose of heart and mind, with that great resolve, the walls of Jerusalem rose until they were rebuilt in an astonishing 52 days (see Nehemiah 6:15). Nehemiah refused to allow distractions to prevent him from doing what the Lord wanted him to do.
It is easy to become distracted—to become focused on one burned-out lightbulb or the impolite acts of unkind people, whatever their motive may be. But think of the power we would have as individuals and as a body of the priesthood if, in response to every temptation to lose focus or lower our standards—the standards of God, we responded, “I am doing a great work and cannot come down.”
We live in times of great challenges and great opportunities. The Lord is seeking men like Nehemiah—faithful brethren who fulfill the oath and covenant of the priesthood. He seeks to enlist unfaltering souls who diligently go about the work of building the kingdom of God—those who, when faced with opposition and temptation, say in their hearts, “I am doing a great work and cannot come down.”
-President Stephen L. Richards (Quoted by Elder David A. Bednar), BYU Devotional, May 10, 2005
Psalms 1-2; 8; 19-33; 40; 46
Psalms 49-51; 61-66; 69-72; 77-78; 85-86
Read the scriptures
Read Come Follow Me
Ponder