Now That You Are Helping…

Nehemiah 2,4-5

 Hear the sermon at:   Now That You're Helping – Pastor Troy Budreau on 11/16/08

Many battles have been lost and won because the plans were given to the opposition. Unfortunately for us, Satan knows exactly what damages us the most. Yet, unfortunately for Satan, God has given us the plans of our enemy as well. We know the ways in which he will attack, and what our response needs to be when those attacks come our way.

Nehemiah and the remnant (workers) faced constant attacks from their enemies. Looking at the different attack can we learn much about our adversary’s tactics and how we should respond to each of these attacks.

Satan’s 6 attacks in Nehemiah

        1.     By Mockery (4:1-6) – Satan loves to ridicule Christians. He knows that as humans we care a great deal about what others think of us. Our co-workers, our friends, even our family can be used by the opposition to discourage us and tear us down.

In verse 4 we see Nehemiah response to the hurtful words of the enemies around him For Nehemiah, the only opinion that mattered was God’s. Although it hurt, he took comfort in the protection of God. Verse 6 seems to indicate that he barely stopped in the work of building the wall. We hesitated, but we kept right on going. The only way these men could keep striving toward the goal was through the wonderful love and power of our great God!`

        2.     By Conspiracy (4:7-23) – When mockery didn’t work the enemies took their attacks to the next level. The enemies rallied together with the purpose of crushing God’s children. Imagine being surrounded by people that hate you so much they will do anything to get rid of you. What do you do? How do you respond?

In verse 9, like a natural reflex, Nehemiah’s response once again is to run to the arms of God for protection. They trusted in God, prepared themselves for attack through defense, and kept on working. Even the thought of being hurt physically didn’t keep them from doing as God desired.

        3.     By Extortion (5:1-13) – The Bible tells us, “Where you treasure is, there will your heart be also.” The people that were serving God were faced with the harsh reality of giving everything they had to be a part of the rebuilding. The enemies took their debt and tried to drive the Jews into the ground with it.

Nehemiah’s response again is one of complete dependence on God. In verse 13 He asks the Lord to do what he knows he cannot. God can ask for our treasure, and we will often respond correctly. Yet, how do we respond when we are serving God and Satan takes what little we have? It’s easier to give than it is to be taken from. Nothing would stop these men from serving God.

Commitment and love like this can’t be earned. It can’t be faked and it can’t be thrown on. Commitment and love like this starts long before the work begins. A relationship with God is what facilitates the work, and it is a relationship with God that sustains the work.

So my question so far…How is your relationship with God? You can’t run to Him if you do not know him. You cannot run to Him is something is between you and Him. Ask God to empower you to love as He loves us!