When our enemies heard that we knew their scheme and that God had frustrated it, every one of us returned to his own work on the wall. (Neh. 4:15 HCSB)
Nehemiah faced opposition throughout the rebuilding of the wall. Chapter four is probably one of my favorite chapters in Nehemiah.
Nehemiah did not allow doubts from the opposition to cause him to stop rebuilding. Nehemiah knew whole-heartedly that he was in God’s will by rebuilding the wall. There are often times when flaming arrows are thrown at us, but we allow our perspective to shift from trusting God to doubting Him.
We doubt what He has commanded us to do. We doubt that He wanted immediate action. We doubt that His blessing is no longer on us. My youth minister once said, “if you don’t live life feeling as though there is a target on your back for the devil, then what are you really doing with your life?”
The gist was that the closer we are to God and the more we are in His will, the more evil will try to stop us and make us stumble. But we have been given the armor of God.
The laborers who carried the loads worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other. (Neh. 4:15, 17 HCSB)
These men risked their lives because they obeyed God. However, they were also prepared to fight for what they were doing.
Likewise, we need to be prepared for the battles that are coming to destroy our testimonies. Be assured, if you’re in the center of God’s will for your life, you will be under attack. However, be comforted in knowing that you are most protected when you are in the center of His will. That doesn’t mean suffering won’t come, it means His peace will be stronger. That doesn’t mean you won’t fail, but it means His grace is bigger.
Put on the armor of God each day, be ready for battle and continue in the center of His will.