Daily Reflections, Thursday, February 28, 2008

Today's Scripture: Nehemiah 4:9-23; Proverbs 24:16a

Years ago in 1924, Sir Edmund Hillary went on an expedition to Mount Everest and set out to conquer the mountain with the goal of reaching the summit. They never did. Two of them died. Defeated, Sir Hillary and the remaining expedition returned home to London. It was his second failure at climbing the mountain.

Later, Sir Hillary was invited to address the Royal Geographic Society, and in the middle of his speech he realized what was on the wall behind him. A gigantic photograph of Mount Everest. Turning around he said, "I tried to conquer you once and you beat me. I tried to conquer you the second time and you took the lives of two of my best friends. But Everest, you will not be victorious. I will be victorious because you can’t get any bigger, but I can."

Nehemiah had similar problems while rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. His enemy was not a mountain, but deceitful men who spread lies about him and his work. When the work was hindered, people’s spirits fell, Nehemiah encouraged them to keep going.

Maybe you’ve even fallen. But always remember that your troubles cannot get any bigger than what they already are. Determine today to get up and try again because the mountain cannot get any bigger. Only you can.

Today's Quote:  The sin is not falling down, but staying down.—Unknown