Nehemiah 4 -- Ways To Offset Attacks

As work proceeded on the walls and gates, God’s enemies became infuriated.  Their first method of attack was ridicule.  Listening to ridicule can quickly pull us down.  Nehemiah’s response is good for us to emulate.  He didn’t respond to it.  He prayed and asked God to fight this attack.  Reading Nehemiah’s prayers, I was almost about to question his prayer itself, until I read what my commentary had to say:  “We must remember that Nehemiah was praying as a servant of God concerned for the glory of God.  He was not requesting personal vengeance but official vindication for God’s people.  The enemy had blasphemously provoked God before the builders, and this was a terrible sin.”

For us, my commentary said that words from our enemies won’t harm us unless we let them get into our system and poison us, giving Satan a foothold to launch another attack.  “The best thing to do is to pray and commit the whole thing to the Lord, and then get back to work!  Anything that keeps you from doing what God has called you to do will only help the enemy.”

There were also intimidating plots hatched.  Enemies were on all sides of Jerusalem and they hoped the threat of invasion might stop the work.  Nehemiah fought this by arming the workers and posting guards.

The enemy also tried discouragement from Jews living near the enemy and fear of impending attacks.  “Fear and faith cannot live together in the same heart … If we fear the Lord, we need not fear the enemy … We must remind ourselves of the greatness of God … If we look at the problem through the greatness of God, we will have confidence and succeed … It is good to remind ourselves that the will of God comes from the heart of God and that we need not be afraid.”

Father, when I am afraid, remind me that You have given me the answer already – “I trust You, God!”  That trust You taught me has carried me through two international adoptions and many trials over the years.  If You want something done, nothing can stop it if my heart is fixed upon You!

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford