When Satan sees the advancement of God’s plans, he responds by immediately going on the offensive. He actively searches for willing instruments to discourage, distract, and disrupt God’s will from being carried out. If we’re not careful, we can fall right into the enemy’s trap.
After the Exile, Nehemiah had tasked the remaining Jews in Judah to rebuild the city walls around Jerusalem. It was an enormous task, one that would require a lot of sweat and around-the-clock labor. But their determination paid off. Fifty-two days later, the rebuilding of the wall would be completed.
But it did not happen without persistent discouragement from the opposition; namely the governor of Samaria, who was a sworn enemy of the Jews.
“When word came to Sanballat, Tobias, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it – though up to that time I had not set the doors and the gates – Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were scheming to harm me; so I sent messengers to them with this reply: I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?” Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer.”
Nehemiah 6: 1-4
Nehemiah knew what Sanballat was up to. He saw right through his devious intentions, refusing to take the bait and leave God’s great project at a standstill. Yet his enemy was persistent. Sanballat sent this same message to him on four occasions. But each and every time, Nehemiah’s focus never shifted from his work. Even when Sanballat’s tactics escalated to lying and blackmail, Nehemiah would not allow his mission to be neglected.
How often it is that the enemy does the same thing to us. Some of us commit to a personal spiritual goal like reading a chapter or two of the Bible each day, but repeated distractions and disruptions often frustrate our plans, stealing our time alone with God. Or perhaps a promotion at work has created jealousy and bitterness for our coworkers. Or maybe instead of being appreciated for doing a kind deed for someone, we’re met with criticism and complaining instead.
This is what Satan does, this is his mission, and he is relentless in his attacks. We Christians face discouragement and distractions on a daily basis. But through Nehemiah’s example, we see what discernment and faithful determination look like in action. We see a discerning man who refused to capitulate to his opposition; a man who was willing to carry out God’s divine inspiration at the expense of his own labor and perspiration; a man who was relentless in his pursuit of the Lord’s help and guidance, and a man who encouraged and equipped those around him to see the mission through.
Through Nehemiah’s example, we have a wonderful template available to us too. When the enemy goes on the offensive against us, let us look to the Holy Spirit for the wisdom, inspiration, and determination we need each day to stay on-mission for Christ.
It is God who calls and equips us. He never calls us to do something that we cannot see through to the end. Amen.
Former Blackout Artist 