When the Enemy Stirs

As I look at the story of Nehemiah rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, I am amazed at how the Lord moved on Nehemiah’s heart to accomplish this great task in 52 days. If you have time to read Nehemiah, it will increase your faith in the God of the impossible. Nehemiah inspected the walls and saw the how desolate it was. This renovation, or rebuilding project, would guarantee the security of the city and could provide a focal point for the Jewish community that had been scattered all over Judah.

Nehemiah had a strong personal faith because prayer was his first response to every situation (Nehemiah 1:4-11; 2:4). He had to overcome hostility and intimidation from powerful neighboring authorities (Nehemiah 4:1-9; 6:1-14). He also was concerned for the maintenance of the temple worship. He realized that Judah needed at its heart a religious emphasis and that making God the priority, it would bring political stability. I am thinking that it would be good to elect a Nehemiah as president in our day.

We have been praying on Wednesday morning for Nehemiah-sized miracles. The walls of our nation need to be built up again in every way. As we get serious and pray as it depends on us, there will come opposition. Let’s look at what Charles Spurgeon once wrote over 120 years ago:

“Since the first hour in which goodness came into conflict with evil, it has never ceased to be true in spiritual experience that Satan hinders us. Satan will direct his engines against that very virtue for which you are the most famous. If you have been hitherto a firm believer, your faith will ere long be attacked; if you have been meek as Moses, expect to be tempted to speak unadvisedly with your lips. The birds will peck at your ripest fruit, and the wild boar will dash his tusks at your choicest vines. There was never a revival of religion without a revival of his opposition. As soon as Ezra and Nehemiah begin to labor, Sanballat and Tobiah are stirred up to hinder them. What then? We are not alarmed because Satan hindereth us, for it is a proof that we are on the Lord’s side, and are doing the Lord’s work, and in His strength we shall win the victory, and triumph over our adversary.”

This is so relevant even today. God still intercedes and we live in victory. The road may be difficult and trying, but I would not want to be on any other road than the one that leads to the Father in heaven.

Again, who wants to join us on the “Front Row” on Wednesday mornings at 6:30 a.m?Tonight we will be kicking our Boost off with prayer in the sanctuary. Come and join us as we pray together. In the foyer, you will have an opportunity to sign up for the Boost class that will start the following week.

I want to thank our people for the love that was shown to Paul Fry’s family and friends. We are so blessed as a church to have so many who want to serve the Lord by serving others. I realize that this is continually going on throughout the week in many different instances. Sometimes it really comes to the forefront at different times. Thank you for being the church, the healing body of Christ wherever God calls you to lend a loving hand.

Joy in Jesus!

Pastor Mike

www.findlayfirstnaz.org