REPELLING DISTRACTION

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Opening Prayer

Almighty God, You are the God of all the years, the God beyond all years, the author and source and the goal of all my living.

Read NEHEMIAH 6:1–14

^[1] When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it-though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates- ^[2] Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were scheming to harm me; ^[3] so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?” ^[4] Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer. ^[5] Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his aide to me with the same message, and in his hand was an unsealed letter ^[6] in which was written: “It is reported among the nations-and Geshem says it is true-that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall. Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king ^[7] and have even appointed prophets to make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem: ‘There is a king in Judah!’ Now this report will get back to the king; so come, let us meet together.” ^[8] I sent him this reply: “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.” ^[9] They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.” But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.” ^[10] One day I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home. He said, “Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and let us close the temple doors, because men are coming to kill you-by night they are coming to kill you.” ^[11] But I said, “Should a man like me run away? Or should someone like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!” ^[12] I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had prophesied against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. ^[13] He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would commit a sin by doing this, and then they would give me a bad name to discredit me. ^[14] Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, my God, because of what they have done; remember also the prophet Noadiah and how she and the rest of the prophets have been trying to intimidate me.

Meditate

“He helps us deal with the mountain. Sometimes he takes us around or over it, and sometimes he removes it—but he always helps us put it behind us” (Lloyd John Ogilvie).

Think Further

A project is most vulnerable when it is almost complete but not quite. The energy of creativity captured in strategy and negotiation may be dwindling. People are patting you on the back and as you look forward to celebrating the achievement, the devil robs you of it.

In an action-filled seven weeks, the walls around Jerusalem have been rebuilt. All that remains is to put doors on the gates. So, when an invitation comes to meet powerful neighbors who have opposed the construction, Nehemiah might have thought, “Well, we are almost done here. Perhaps a session to improve relations will be an advantage in the long run”—but he is focused on finishing what he had started. A wall without doors is useless. As second and third requests come, he stands firm: who knows the risks of a long journey in another land? Similarly, he is resolute when a menacing summons arrives alongside a letter proclaiming sinister rumors of rebellion. This was the concern that shut down the first wall-building attempt years before. The temptation to defend himself would have been strong, but Nehemiah’s hitherto indirect refusals to be provoked are much blunter this time: “You are talking fantasy” (a free translation of 8). Another potential disaster comes from a prophet, who urges him to shelter for his life in the safety of the Temple. Nehemiah realizes that this man is not from God: such an act of cowardice, in a place reserved only for priests, would be an abuse of the holy place.

The spiritual battle is unrelenting as we work for Christ. Testing and entrapment come in many guises, both blatant and subtle: discouragement and fear, intimidation and betrayal, weariness and distraction. Nehemiah is a model of constant prayer bringing vigilance and discernment.

Apply

What weak spots in the “wall” of your heart need strengthening?

Closing prayer

Lord, what are You saying to me in the midst of the challenges I face? Strengthen my hands!

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