The Old
Testament book of Nehemiah records one of the greatest revivals in
history. It documents the rebuilding of
the walls of Jerusalem. These walls were
destroyed when Nebuchadnezzar and his Chaldean Armies attacked and overran the
city. Nehemiah was called and chosen by
God to rebuild the walls and to repair the breach that had been torn down by
the enemy.
There
was a remnant who had returned, but they
were living in an unprotected city. Like Nehemiah God has chosen us to rebuild
the walls that have been torn down through neglect, compromise, and sin within
the church. When Nehemiah arrived in
Jerusalem he was immediately met with opposition. Nehemiah 2:10 says, “When Sanaballat the
Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of it, they were deeply
disturbed that a man had come to seek the well-being of the children of
Israel.”
When you
set out to do God’s will and fulfill the ministry God has assigned you, you
should expect the enemy to oppose you. Jesus said in John 16:33, “These things
I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world
you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the
world.” As we study through the pages of Nehemiah we learn the different
strategies the enemy uses against the people of God:
·
In Nehemiah 2:19-20 the enemy scorned and despised
God’s people. Scorn is defined as “the feeling or belief that someone or
something is worthless or despicable.”[i]
·
In Nehemiah 4:1-6 the enemy used ridicule and
mockery against the people of God.
·
In Nehemiah 4:7-9 the enemy used the threat of
attack to discourage and distract God’s people.
·
In Nehemiah 5:1-13 the enemy attacked the finances
of God’s people.
·
In Nehemiah 6:1-4 the enemy’s strategy was to get
God’s people into compromise.
·
In Nehemiah 6:5-9, Satan used slander, rumors, and
lies to oppose the rebuilding efforts.
·
In Nehemiah 6:10-14, false prophecies were given
to produce fear and keep God’s people from completing the task of rebuilding of
the walls of Jerusalem.
In
Ephesians 6:11 Paul encourages us to “Put on the whole armor of God, that you
may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” The wiles of the devil are the cunning
devices of the devil. The New Living Translation says, “The
strategies of the devil.” 1 Peter 5:8 gives insight in how to understand the strategies
the enemy uses against us, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the
devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
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