Determination of Purpose
Nehemiah 6:3
And I sent messengers to them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease…


The ancient Greeks had an aphorism which is worthy of remembrance: "He is formidable who does one thing." A man must have a fixed design, or he will not have a steady course. As the instrument tuned to no key-note, so is the man whose spirit is strung to no commanding aim. In vain does the vessel launch forth from the harbour if she have no haven for which to steer and no helm by which to shape her voyage. Take a just view of your life, and all is but dung and dross in comparison with your final acceptance with God. This is the object, the one object which you must enterprise, prosecute, and secure. What a work is before us!

(Hugh Stowell, M. A.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?

WEB: I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work, so that I can't come down. Why should the work cease, while I leave it, and come down to you?"




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