Text: Nehemiah 4:1-14, 1 Chronicles 29:11
We’ve seen that Nehemiah faced his share of opposition from early on when he set out to rebuild the wall.
Even before he started building, there were the naysayers, the doubters and the discouragers. Those of us who have stepped out in faith to do something a little less than popular can no doubt relate. Sometimes it is a startling task, or sometimes it’s simply walking in Truth that has others coming out of the woodwork to stand in our way.
Regardless of what the Lord is asking you to do in obedience, how are you responding to the opposition? Knowing His power to make His will happen is not an invitation to rest. In fact, it is in these times we need to keep on building with one hand and bracing ourselves for the attacks with the other. Because when we step out in His name, the attacks will come.
We must guard our hearts, day and night. (Nehemiah 4:9)
We must post our defenses at our weakest points, ready to defend, with other followers, with the strength of His word, with the power of the Holy Spirit. (Nehemiah 4:13)
We continue with our work, defending not out of fear but out of love. For, as followers of Jesus, we know we can be secure in His greatness, crying out to Him, “The power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.” (1 Chronicles 29:11, NIV)
So how will you respond to the opposition in your walk today? Will you drop your trowel and walk away from the task? Or will you defend what God has put on your heart to do and brace yourself with Truth?
We’re praying for you, Sisters, and we’re by your side, step by step and brick by brick. Let’s let no one put an end to the work we are doing for His kingdom.
Please help me in praying to be working and bracing. I recently found out about my husband’s affair and we are walking and fighting but it is the hardest battle I’ve ever faced.
Praying for you Kelsey!
Praying for you Kelsey!
Prayers sent your way, Kelsey
So thankful for this study. Meeting me right where I am, as my hubby & I finish raising support and prepare to move cities to help “rebuild the wall” of a broken city in East St Louis (www.rebirthesl.org). This study is strengthening me daily and feels like the fresh insights from Nehemiah were written solely to encourage me.
Excited for you Katie!! We are praying and working also to rebuild Alton. I believe God is moving in Illinois!!
Matthew 5: Blessed are the poor in spirit…
Psalm 51:10 Create in me…
You want what only God can build! Yeah me too!
LOVED todays. They’re all good – but it was the perfect reminder… Be motivated out of LOVE not fear. Blessings!
Thanks for joining us, Lizzy! We love having you!
xoxo-Kaitlin for She Reads Truth
Today reminded me of an organization called the “men of Nehemiah” in Dallas. Check this out and pray for this ministry. Amazing. http://www.themenofnehemiah.org/
This is a nice stuff for anybody who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its virtually onerous to argue with you . You positively put a new spin on a topic that has been written about for years. Nice stuff, just great!
I’m starting this a little late as well, but each day has been EXACTLY what I needed!
I just graduated from a Bible College on the West Coast with my teaching degree. Around the same time, I had two schools contact me about coming to teach with them. The one school had a pretty good starting salary and was filled with people I went to college with. It was within two hours of my brother and his family and only a day drive from my home in Washington. The other school was so small it was barely able to pay me minimum wage and couldn’t afford to pay my way to visit them. It’s on the other side of the country where I hardly know anyone. But through counseling and prayer, The Lord really placed this school on my heart. I could have easily taken the comfortable option close to home, but I knew the second option would grow me and stretch me and bring God the most glory.
Since accepting this position, I have faced a lot of criticism. People are upset with me for moving so far away. Others can’t believe I would accept a job with such low pay. How do I explain that the reason I am changing my whole life is not because it’s what I want, but because it is what God wants. Not a day has gone by that He hasn’t confirmed in my heart that I made the right decision. I’m following Him.
Yes, this devotional is absolutely perfect for what I’m going through right now. I found it because a friend shared it on Instagram. I m definitely going to share this with my friends! You never know who may need this.
Rachel, I just started this study, and I absolutely love it! You certainly stepped out it faith and followed God’s lead. I am praying for you that God is blessing your efforts to serve in the area that has the least to offer. With you, it was truly about meeting the needs of others and not your own. Thank you, Rachel, for letting God use you!
I am entering the group a bit late. We just moved and finally have a table to sit at and an internet connection to bring the wide world to us. Although it is May 28, I am still on day 5. I love the fact that Nehemiah posted families to guard each other's backs, as it were. Our families are foundational units. The family of Christ is a foundational unit. Perhaps, when we look at our physical family groups, we see disfunction, broken walls, burned gates (lost security, mistrust, poor decisions, etc.). But this chapter of Nehemiah speaks to me about looking at what God is doing, focusing on HIM – His GREATNESS AND AWESOMENESS – and not on the enemy, or our perceived weaknesses or problems. Don't look at the holes in the wall; look at JESUS, the author and perfecter of our faith, and FIGHT in His strength, with the weapons He has provided, for your families and your homes. Good girls FIGHT in Jesus' Name!