DEVOTION – DAY 257

Nehemiah 4:7-9 “Standing Firm In An Attack”

 

Nehemiah 4:7-9 But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. They all plotted together to 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.

 

When Nehemiah heard about the crumbling city walls and burnt gates surrounding the city of Jerusalem, he wept, mourned, fasted and prayed to God. God opened the way for him to return to Jerusalem to start restoring the city’s walls and gates. His efforts were met with opposition from their enemies, the Ammonites and the Arabs. They opposed any rebuilding of the city’s walls and gates as they wanted a weak and submissive Jewish city. They plotted against Nehemiah and the Jews, threatening to overrun the city.

 

From this passage, we learn that there is often opposition when we try to follow and carry out God’s plans for us. But we do not need to flee or stop serving the Lord and carrying out His plan. Like Nehemiah, we should pray to the Lord for help. But at the same time, we also need to make practical steps to strengthen our position. In Nehemiah’s case, as he prayed to God, he also posted a guard day and night to warn the city should their enemies come near to attack the city. We are to seek divine help through prayer and at the same time, take practical steps to help ourselves.

 

We know someone who answered God’s call to serve Him in a new full-time ministry. He was aware that there would be opposition. But he had underestimated the amount of difficulties he would encounter. He soon faced multiple health challenges amongst different family members, that required him to spend time taking them to hospitals for various treatments. He also faced challenges in ministry from lack of co-workers, and working in unfamiliar areas. On top of that, he had Covid-19 and other family members also had the virus. But throughout, he prayed to God, and he asked others to keep him and his family in their prayers. He continued to do his best in all his ministry work and the Lord answered his prayers. As he persevered, he progressed in his ministry.

 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we know that when we purpose to walk closely with you to do your will, there will be opposition. Please help us to persevere in the face of opposition to do all that we can do as we trust you to do what is beyond us to do. In the holy name of the Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

 

Questions

  1. What kind of opposition have you come across when you served the Lord in an area that He had called you? What were the results? Share.
  2. When facing opposition when you serve the Lord, what is your normal response to the opposition? How has this devotion helped you?
  3. How has prayer helped you when you face opposition in your walk with the Lord?