In Nehemiah 6 the wall of Jerusalem is nearly finished being rebuilt. Nehemiah and the Israelites are working to rebuild it. Their families are with them. Here in chapter 6 Nehemiah is seen responding to threats and plots from their enemies.

Let us take a look, Nehemiah 6:1-4 NKJV

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.

What do I see: Nehemiah and his team have all come to the final parts of finishing the wall, they need only to add doors to the gates. I also see that there are a few enemies who are upset about the progress (Sanballat, Tobias and Geshem). I see in their anger they conspired to harm Nehemiah and send a message as an attempt to get him off the wall/assignment. I see Nehemiah respond with respect and assurance. I see the persistence of his enemies.

What do I hear: I hear fear in the enemies. I hear confidence in Nehemiah about God and the work he is/has done. I hear steadfastness and determination.

What does the enemy say: “Come” — inviting Nehemiah to move (out of position).

What does the child of God say: “I am” — rejecting the offer to move (out of position).

Nehemiah is a man of God and has been given insight to see the schemes of the men against him. After their offer for him to come and meet with them Nehemiah is able to respond with respect and assurance. He did not call them out of their names or yell or let them know he knew they were planning to harm him. He did not ask God to do some great and mighty revelation of who He is and strike his enemies. He responded as one who is sure about their position in Christ and in their identity as a son/child of I Am.

Nehemiah says: “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?”

I want to leave us with a question and moment of reflection. Nehemiah’s response to the enemies before him is a model of how I would like to respond to distractions and self doubt. Maybe there are enemies among you, maybe there is only the enemy of self doubt and unbelief. Whomever or whatever the adversary, I want us to learn to respond like Nehemiah. Full of assurance of what Christ has spoken and certain in the fact that we must not stop for any reason until it has been completed.

Let us reflect: What did Nehemiah hear? What did he do? What did he not hear? What did he not do.

Application: As you go about your day and week, take time to sit and think of what you have heard the Lord speak to you. How have you been able to work to that thing? Have you been met with opposition? If so, how have you responded? How might you be able to go forward in responding with assurance and certainty with Christ?

Let us pray,

Father I thank you for the word. I thank you that in the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word is Hod (John 1). I ask that your Holy Spirit would illuminate my mind. I ask that your spirit would fill me afresh and anew. I thank you for your goodness. I thank you for your faithfulness and for your love for me. I ask that you would help me respond in a way that pleases you. When opposition comes and doubt speaks, I pray your voice would be louder, that your presence would be felt greater. I need you and I surrender. Please forgive me for when I have responded with defense and with fear. Please help me to remain in position until that which you have asked of me is completed, amen.