Read: Nehemiah 6
Why do we so frequently hear the phrase “Let’s have a quick word of prayer”? Did you know when Nehemiah saw the need, he prayed for four months? God planned to use him to set right a 100-year-old problem. Nehemiah worked longer in prayer than the time needed to complete the wall around Jerusalem. The enemy loomed on the horizon. Think carefully about choosing the size of your prayer, especially when it is a brutal onslaught. Prayer is your both your largest defense and greatest weapon against the one who wants to destroy you.
SPIRITUAL WHACK-A-MOLE
Nehemiah’s construction project is targeted by major spiritual warfare. The battle to rebuild the wall is not over as it nears completion. Conspiracy after conspiracy arise against Nehemiah. It is spiritual “whack-a-mole”; one problem remedied only for another to pop up elsewhere.
SATAN’S PLAN
Satan’s age-old plan is to defeat Christians. If Satan can discredit them, divide, and discourage them, he can create havoc using the strategies he used during Nehemiah’s time. When you’re hungry, angry, lonely, or tired, be very watchful, because it’s in those seasons that the enemy plays especially dirty.
NEHEMIAH’S DEFENSE
What is Nehemiah’s response to the spiritual and mental attacks from Sanballat and friends? David Guzik observes: “Nehemiah did not mount an elaborate defense, trying to prove Sanballat wrong point by point. He wasn’t going to waste his time. You don’t satisfy men like Sanballat with facts, explanations, and evidence. Nehemiah replied by calmly and straightforwardly telling Sanballat that he was a liar, and by carrying on with the work.” We can choose to carry on and refuse fear.
NO STOPPING NEHEMIAH
More than four times the ungodly trio of Sanballat, Geshem and Geshem plot against Nehemiah. The final gates around Jerusalem are not yet in place. The evil think tank attempt to set up an out-of-town meeting with Nehemiah in order to harm him. Nehemiah replies, “I am engaged in an important work, and I am unable to come down. Why should the work come to a halt when I leave it to come down to you?” Nehemiah chooses not to stop.
Then an evil letter arrives from the hand of Sanballat. An open letter (an op-ed) is to be sent to the King of Persia accusing Nehemiah of leading a revolt against Persia. Without a beat, Nehemiah replies, “We are not engaged in these activities you are describing. All of this is a figment of your imagination.” Nehemiah observes the heart of the enemy, “All of them wantto scare us, supposing, ‘Their hands will grow slack from the work, and it won’t get done.’”
MORTAR THAT REBUILDS STRONG WALLS
Don’t miss how Nehemiah handles opposition. He didn’t drop his tools; he dropped to his knees and prayed “strengthen my hands.” Nehemiah knows he is vulnerable, tired, and must be discerning in who to trust. “The mortar that causes the rebuilt walls to stand is a deep prayer life reflecting dependance and faith in God. Pull out the mortar and the walls would fall.” No prayer = no walls. Nehemiah’s prayer life runs deep.
Yet despite all this horrendous opposition from Satan and his tools, Nehemiah stays on task. “So, the wall was completed…. When all our enemies heard and all the nations who were around us saw this, they were greatly disheartened. They knew that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.
WHERE TO FOCUS
Dear friend, Satan wants to destroy you. He wants to destroy your name and everything about you. He wants to win at spiritual whack-a-mole. David Platt advises: “Keep your focus on God and on the work he has called you to do. Let Him, God alone, be your focus instead of the enemy’s distractions and your encouragement instead of the enemy’s discouragement. Let Him be your joy and hope and peace and life instead of the enemy’s attempts to destroy you in whatever way he can.” Don’t just have a quick word in prayer. Dive into prayer – it is your biggest weapon against the one who wants to destroy you.
Memorize: Ephesians 6:10-20.
