We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10
Merriam-Webster defines encumbered as impeded, hampered or hindered with respect to functions or activities. A reality of my life and the lives of others dealing with chronic illness and pain is that we are encumbered in everything we do. Those of us are encumbered with respect to our ability to function are also, by definition, encumbered in our activities. Often it’s not just the physical issues but also the mental ones. It takes so much energy to accept and manage our physical problems and limitations that we are also mentally encumbered. Further, the problem is not limited to those with physical or mental problems, but also extends to those who are grieving, have relationship problems or are enduring some other trial. These may also find themselves encumbered as they attempt to accomplish the tasks set before them. Despite our struggles, God still calls us to complete tasks for Him. It is not ours to question or deny but rather to complete with aide of our Heavenly Father.
“From that day on, half of my servants carried on the work while half of them held the spears, the shields, the bows and the breastplates; and the captains were behind the whole house of Judah. Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens took their load with one hand doing the work and the other holding a weapon. As for the builders, each wore his sword girded at his side as he built, while the trumpeter stood near me. I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, ‘The work is great and extensive, and we are separated on the wall far from one another. At whatever place you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.’” Nehemiah 4:16-20
Nehemiah’s call started with news from Judah. The news made him so grief stricken that King Artaxerxes took notice and asked why he was visibly sad. Through that discussion, Nehemiah’s task was developed. The king granted his wish to return to Jerusalem to rebuild it, issued letters for safe passage, dispatched officers of the army and horseman for protection and provided the necessary supplies. That was the good news. However, Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the Ashdodites did not want the Jews to rebuild the city and did what they could to prevent it. Their constant threat created the situation described in the excerpt above. (The whole story can be read or listened to here.) While I have not built a stone wall, I can certainly understand how the work would be encumbered by laboring with one hand while carrying a weapon in the other. As a further hindrance, only half of the people could work as the rest stood watch fully armed. Some might have chosen to give up and walk away, but Nehemiah remained passionate, faithful and obedient God’s call to rebuild what had been torn down. His relationship with God did not allow him to even consider anything less than completing the task set before him.
And the king granted them to me because the good hand of my God was on me. Nehemiah 2:8
So I answered them and said to them, “The God of heaven will give us success; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no portion, right or memorial in Jerusalem.” Nehemiah 2:20
Nehemiah was depressed, yet God gave him a task…a difficult task. He was encumbered in many ways, yet he did not shrink back from his duty because he recognized that he was a vessel to be used by God for His purposes and, therefore, he was not alone. His deep bond with God allowed him to look beyond the hindrances to the One who is able. He recognized that it was neither his ability to convince the king nor the king himself that provided, but rather, the hand of God on Nehemiah that was working to provide. Furthermore, as this was God’s mission rather than Nehemiah’s, the Lord would provide a successful completion. The lesson here is that when God calls us to do something which seems overwhelmingly difficult in light of our encumbrances, we look to God to provide both what is needed as well as the success. Our concerns may be tangible goods, financial resources, awareness, time, energy, mental acuity, training, proper words for the moment, spiritual truth, or some other provision, however, no matter what that need is, it is God who provides. Our duty is to be the willing vessel who will not shrink back from the task, but rather passionately pursue its completion.
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval. Hebrews 11:1-2
Like Paul’s description, Nehemiah was “hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; and struck down, but not destroyed”. Nehemiah stayed focused on God’s calling rather than what encumbered him due to sincere faith in his Lord as well as His character and His promises. That faith drove him to regular prayer for forgiveness of sin, help and direction. Because of his faith and constant communion with God, God not only provided what was necessary to complete the task but also the wisdom and discernment to formulate plans and keep the people focused on the task before them as well as God’s hand in it rather than the threats around them. Satan uses the normal challenges of life, illness, grief, misery, depression, etc. to convince us that God asks too much of us. However, faith in God paints and entirely different picture; it is a picture of usefulness, ability and completion provided through the sustaining grace of God.
Remember me, O my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people. Nehemiah 5:19
God does not hesitate to ask us to us to do what is humanly impossible. However, whether the task is considered large or small, God does indeed remember the faithful obedience of His servants. In Hebrews 11, we see several people listed for their faithfulness and others by type of endurance rather than name. More recently I think of Anne Graham Lotz and Joni Eareckson Tada who continue to encourage and minister throughout their cancer treatments. On a more personal level, I am inspired to live well and serve obediently by:
- Shelly who continues to share scripture and godly encouragement that our Heavenly Father provides for her despite the mounting medical challenges that she and her family face.
- Laura, Barb, and Karlton who write and share devotionals, blogs, encouraging articles, etc. despite their life altering illnesses.
- Kevin who is ministering to the saved and the unsaved as he writes about the importance of gratitude as a means of rising above trials and working through grief while he deals with the loss of his two children.
- Nancy who encourages others through scripture, spiritual truth and humor despite illness, recent loss of her daughter, and the trauma of having her home robbed at knife point.
- Countless others in our church, community and in my social circles who faithfully serve our Lord despite being encumbered by their trials and limitations empowered by their trust in the faithfulness and character of our God who is their source of strength and provision.
Due to my illness and natural bent, I am easily overwhelmed. Over time God has been teaching me to trust Him. As I sat down to write today, I was anxious. I don’t like to write and publish on the same day, but that is where I found myself yet again. Further, Lord willing, I am to start a support group tomorrow for which I am not yet as prepared as I would like to be…more anxiety. I am further distracted by my family needs as well as medical tests that are forthcoming. However, through prayer (mine and others’), my mind has settled allowing the writing to go fairly well. In the scheme of history or on a global scale, this task is rather insignificant, however, as one who seeks to serve his Lord, it is monumental as both God’s faithfulness and this subject matter teach me to keep my focus on God and allow Him to manage the issues that encumber me.
Wherever you find yourself today, keep your focus on God; allow Him to manage your challenges; accept the tasks that He calls you to passionately; prayerfully petition His provision and sustaining grace; and have faith in God alone. It is for God’s glory, your good and the encouragement of the body of Christ to do likewise.