WEDNESDAY April 19, 2017
Seasons of Spiritual Warfare
But it so happened, when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious and very indignant, and mocked the Jews. - Nehemiah 4:1
Nehemiah 4 through 6 can be taught as one combined unit. In these chapters Nehemiah described at least nine different tactics of the enemy. Nehemiah went through some heavy pressures as he continued to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, while his enemies tried to stop the work of God.
First, Sanballat and Tobiah attacked the Jewish people with a major weapon––ridicule (Nehemiah 4:1-6). Second, there were plots of war with the intent to create confusion (Nehemiah 4:7-9). Third, these attacks came from within, among the Jewish ranks. When they faced difficulties, there were those who brought discouragement into the camp (Nehemiah 4:10). Among the people were those who did not have the same vision or have a mind to work. They did not want to glorify the Lord or help complete the rebuilding; instead they had their own agendas.
Fourth, the enemy brought fear into the camp (Nehemiah 4:11-23). Fifth, in Nehemiah 5, the whole chapter deals with selfishness. Sixth, Nehemiah’s enemies tried to destroy him through compromise (Nehemiah 6:1-4). Seventh, the enemies’ tactic was to try to destroy Nehemiah by slander and discredit the work of God in Nehemiah’s life (Nehemiah 6:5-9). Eighth, they tried to threaten his life so he would flee (Nehemiah 6:10-14). Then ninth, they attacked with intrigue (Nehemiah 6:17-19). None of these nine devices worked because Nehemiah was solid and focused––the wall would be built regardless of their attacks.
The way Satan attacks me is through seasons, there can be weeks and months where I think,” Where did Satan go? But then there are times my friends, when I have to lock myself in my office! Seriously, I can identify with the Psalmist when he wrote my steps had nearly slipped (Psalm73:2). Like Nehemiah, I go through heavy pressures as a man of God––that is why I need the grace of God, and we need to pray for each other.
Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him [Jesus] until an opportune time.
~Luke 4:13~
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