“They all plotted together come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat” Nehemiah 4:8-9 (NIV)
Whenever God gives an important task to his people to tackle, the evil one opposes them. The prophets of the Old Testament faced opposition. Our Lord Jesus faced stiff opposition. The Apostles, especially Paul, faced strong opposition. Nehemiah was no exception; he encountered serious opposition when he started what God had called him to do: to repair Jerusalem’s walls. The enemies were very angry that the work was progressing. So “they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it.” But Nehemiah and his people responded in the wisest way: “.. we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.” They prayed for divine intervention and also took practical action for protection. Nehemiah encouraged his people, urging them not to be afraid and declared confidently: “Our God will fight for us” (v.20). So, the people were encouraged and continued the work despite constant opposition until the task was completed in just fifty-two days. Their enemies became “afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God” (Nehemiah 6:16). When you face opposition in your service to God, don’t be afraid. Seek God’s help; he will give you the victory.
🛐 Meditation And Prayer:
Lord, give me victory over those who oppose the task you’ve given me to do.
📚 Further Reading: Ezra 4:1-5
🔑 Key Lesson:
God gives his people the victory
Source: The Word Devotional by the Global Evangelical Church, Posted: Rashida Yakubu
