December 9, 2005

 

For they all were trying to make us afraid, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be done.” Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.

--Nehemiah 6:9

 

Nehemiah was a man of courage and great convictions. Throughout his leadership, he was attacked and attempts were made to destroy God’s work, but he stood against them all. Two final assaults came against Nehemiah and the work of God’s people. One was slander and the other was outright sin.

 

In today’s society, the devil has presented the lie that pre-marital sex is permissible, divorce is acceptable, and adultery is common. His motive is murder! We are seeing the full-blown consequences of that in our culture. When the enemy comes against us with his lies, we must be prepared as Nehemiah was.

 

When you stand strong and are unwilling to compromise your convictions, then personal assaults will follow. But Nehemiah was transparent. He knew the devil desired to weaken him, so he remained a man of integrity. If you and I are not careful, attacks and charges can zap us of our spiritual energy and physical vitality.

 

Luke 6:22-23 says, “Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, for in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.”

 

Like Nehemiah, stay in the work and seek the Lord when slandered by others. In 52 days, what some people said was impossible and despite obstacles and opposition, the wall surrounding Jerusalem was rebuilt and the work of God was completed to His glory! Don’t respond to just any so-called message from God. Know His Word intimately, so when false messages come at you, you are able by His Spirit to perceive the truth!

 

WHEN GOD CALLS YOU TO DO A GREAT AND MIGHTY WORK FOR HIM — CLOTHE YOURSELF WITH HIS ARMOR AMIDST THE TEMPTATION, OBSTACLES, AND OPPOSITION — SO THAT IT WILL BE COMPLETED FOR HIS GLORY.