Now That You Are Helping…
Nehemiah 2,4-5
(Continued)
Hear the sermon at: Now That You're Helping – Pastor Troy Budreau on 11/16/08
Last week we looked at some of the ways Satan tried to discourage Nehemiah and the builders. Through a careful study of these attacks and Nehemiah’s response, we can learn much about responding to discouragement. As we continue to work through the next 3 attacks, understand that Satan is not pleased with your desire to serve God. Your commitment to love Him stands defiantly in the face of Satan. Your actions have enraged him, and he will do whatever he can to try to stop you.
Are you ready to fight!?!
4. Opposition through Compromise – (6:1-4) At this point, Satan has tried direct attacks. Unfortunately for him, these attacks seemed to only strengthen the resolve of the people as they more clearly understood how important it was to serve God. With the past failures, Satan attacks from a whole new angle. Rather than trying to beat them down, he offers a pleasurable situation for God’s people through compromise. We would all like to get along with the enemy. Work could be so much easier if no one opposes us.
God has clearly shown us in His Word that Satan does (and always will) stand in opposition to what pleases the Lord. If Satan is pleased with us, we cannot be pleasing our Heavenly Father. Nehemiah’s response was simple, “I don’t have time. I’m busy serving God.” Let each one of us determine we don’t have time for worldliness…we’re too busy serving God. Satan would like nothing more than for God’s children to let sin in. Yet, if we are busy serving God, we will not have time for sin. Idol hands truly are the devil’s playground.
5. Opposition through Slander – (6:5-9) You can imagine how frustrated Satan is getting. Nothing will stop this man of God! Attacks haven’t worked; compromise hasn’t worked…now it’s time to turn to outright lies. How low will Satan go? We are about to see.
Nehemiah receives a letter from one his enemies, Sanballat. As Nehemiah reads the letter he quickly finds himself being threatened by slander. Nehemiah’s only goal was to help rebuild the city, but Sanballat threatens to tell everyone that Nehemiah is trying to be king.
I find the response fascinating. If it were me, I would have made a list of reasons why these accusations were so wrong. I would articulate a defense that Satan himself would struggle to penetrate. I would have done anything to protect my reputation. What does Nehemiah do? In verse 8 he sends a simple response that says, “That’s not true, you’re making it up.” That’s it!?! That’s your great response!?! If you keep reading you find the power of Nehemiah’s response: “O God, strengthen my hands.” What a man of God. Let it be said of us that we just don’t care what the world says, as long as God gives us strength to serve him. Praise the Lord!
6. Opposition through Treachery – ( 6:10-14) This last attack shows just how much control Satan can have in any given situation. Up to this point, every attack on Nehemiah and the workers has been brought by the hands of enemies. This final blow comes from a friend and a man who professes to love God. Have you ever been hurt by a friend? If there were any legitimate reason to give up, this would be it.
With sensitivity to God’s leading and confidence in God’s call on his life, Nehemiah would not be stopped…not even by attacks from a supposed friend. In verse 14 Nehemiah asks God to take care of the situation. As a result, the fruit of verse 15 is overwhelming!
God called a man that would not quit. He called a man that loved his Creator, and was willing to sacrifice to communicate that.
“So the wall was finished…in fifty two days!”(15)
It was rarely easy, but always worth it!