Strengthen My Hands

1 Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates), 2 Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm. 3 And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” 4 And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner. 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.

Nehemiah 6:1-9 (ESV)

Do you every find yourself in Nehemiah’s sandals? Are you busy doing what God has called you to and feel as if you everyone and everything is trying to attack you and tear you down? If so I would tell you congratulations you have an understanding of what is at stake when you serve God.  In Nehemiah’s case those who were trying to bring him down and prevent his work in Jerusalem were leaders and lords in the surrounding areas of Jerusalem. They did not desire to see the walls or the city restored because in their hearts jealousy ruled. The same can be said of us as Christians today. Often we talk bad about other Christians and pastors because we are in truth jealous of the success they seem to be having as the serve God. But to be honest with you; we are all called to serve Jesus in different ways. That is why there is a comparison of Christians to the parts of body found in 1 Corinthians 15. We each have our own jobs to perform; and individuals and areas that we are to be working in for the glory and furthering of God’s kingdom here and in heaven.

There is something here that I ask you to guard your heart about and be in prayer that it does not happen to you. They accuse Nehemiah of plotting rebellion against King Artaxerxes and they use this as they try to prevent Nehemiah from completing his work. It is untrue and unfounded but this could have cost him his life and in the end lead to the destruction of Jerusalem. If you do not know something to be true or something is told to you in confidence be sure you keep your tongue. Too many works of God have been stopped because of the miss use or slander of God’s man or women, as they were serving God. I would not want to know that something I did or said was a hindrance to the work of Jesus.

I want to leave you with this if you find yourself under attack in your work for Jesus either from others who profess Christ or the outside world do as Nehemiah did ask God to, “Strengthen my hands.” There is really no way of telling how many works of God have been prevented because we fall to the pressure of the outside world and even other Christians as we serve God. Always be sure to trust in His Word and walk in it. It will provide you the strength you need; to hold fast and complete what He has called you to. Have a blessed day as you walk in the light of His word.