DISCERN THE DIVERSION

When you receive direction from God to do something specific, be prepared to discern the diversions that will come your way that will try to divert you away from what God has called you to do.
As a Pastor I have come to understand that when the Holy Spirit gives me a message to preach or teach and it requires a lot of preparation, there seems to be things that come my way that will divert me away from my preparation.
I may receive direction from the Holy Spirit to something specific, then all of the sudden someone needs to meet with me, or there is a problem someone has that they believe needs immediate attention on my part or they disagree with what I am doing.
It requires discernment on my part to determine if that thing that will divert what I am trying to do is really that important.
A problem that someone believes needs my immediate attention is usually not a problem that occurred overnight.  It is usually a result of something someone has been doing wrong over the long haul that will not be solved in one meeting with me.
There is a great example of this found in Nehemiah 6: 1 – 4.  Nehemiah was called of God to complete the wall in Jerusalem.  Three enemies of Israel requested a meeting with Nehemiah.
Vs. 2 “Then Sanballet and Geshem sent unto me, saying Come let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono.  But they thought to do me mischief.”
Nehemiah discerned that these enemies of Israel were just trying to divert Nehemiah from completing what God told him to do.  
Nehemiah responded, “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.”
His enemies were not thrilled with his response and kept insisting that he meet with them.  As Nehemiah continued to refuse, they make up lies concerning Nehemiah’s intentions.
However, Nehemiah was not diverted from what God called him to do despite their false accusations.
We must also be careful to discern what diversions people or situations may present to us.  
Being a person of prayer and always being ready to hear the directions of the Holy Spirit, will give you the ability to know God’s voice and His direction.
Then you will know what is God and what is not.  The enemy will use people and situations to try and divert you from completing the task that the Lord has given to you.
When you are determined to follow the directions of the Lord, be prepared to make people angry because you chose to follow the Lord, rather than be diverted by something someone else thinks is more important.
Nehemiah completed his assignment and you will too, if you discern what things the enemy will try to use to get you to disobey the Lord.