DAY 24 OF 40 - Better Together Through Prayer And The Word

DAY 24 OF 40 - Better Together Through Prayer And The Word

Nehemiah 6:5-9

5 In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. 6 In it was written, "It is reported among the nations, and Geshem also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king. 7 And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem, 'There is a king in Judah.' And now the king will hear of these reports. So now come and let us take counsel together." 8 Then I sent to him, saying, "No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind." 9 For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, "Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done." But now, O God, strengthen my hands.

DAY 24 – SEEKING STRENGTH FOR THE TASK

Where do we get the idea that following Jesus is going to be “the easy life” when Jesus said, “take up your cross and follow me”?

Nehemiah again faces a trial when Sanballat, governor of Samaria, sends him a letter with a false accusation…

SCRIPTURE: Nehemiah 6:5 Then Sanballat sent his servant to me the same way the fifth time with an open letter in his hand, 6 in which was written, “It is reported among the nations, and Gashmu says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel. Because of that, you are building the wall. You would be their king, according to these words. 7 You have also appointed prophets to preach of you at Jerusalem, saying, ‘There is a king in Judah!’ Now it will be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.”

8 Then I sent to him, saying, “There are no such things done as you say, but you imagine them out of your own heart.” 9 For they all would have made us afraid, saying, “Their hands will be weakened from the work, that it not be done.” But now, strengthen my hands.

The enemy does not give up easily. If he can’t get us in one way, he will try another. Now Sanballat accuses and says Geshem agrees that Nehemiah is plotting a revolt, which is why they are building the wall. Also, that Nehemiah is getting ready to announce that he is the new king in Judea. “We need to get together and discuss this,” Sanballat says, “before this news gets back to the king.”

Nehemiah sends him this reply. “There’s nothing to what you’re saying. You’ve made it all up” (The Message). Nehemiah knows that these accusations are circulating among the nations around them. Just giving the rebuttal to the accusations, he knows will not stop the rumors. A vicious cycle of lies has begun.

There is no way Nehemiah can stop the spreading of these lies; but Nehemiah does know someone who can give him, as well as the Jews, the strength they will need to be an overcomer in this situation. He goes to his God and prays, “Now give me strength.” Remember Jesus’ words, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

LIFE APPLICATION: What are you facing today? Is it a lie that someone has told about you? Is it an accusation made against you, or is it some other uncomfortable event? Pray as Nehemiah did for the strength that only God can give you to be an overcomer in the situation.

___________________________________