READING: Nehemiah 3-6
Opposition shows up whenever we seek to do God’s work. It’s inevitable that Satan and his forces will try to thwart the work—and we see that reality in today’s reading. Sanballat and Tobiah had previously complained against the rebuilding of the wall (Neh 2:19), and they came back with a vengeance in Nehemiah 4. They not only mocked the people of God, but they also rallied troops to attack them after their ridicule accomplished nothing.
What fascinates and instructs me is what Nehemiah did when the opposition increased: he prayed and prepared. He first asked God to bring judgment on their enemies, and he later combined divine intervention and human efforts: “So we prayed to our God and stationed a guard because of them day and night” (Neh 4:9). Prayer was critical, but so was the wise preparation of putting protection in place. They prayed, and they did; they sought God, and they took up arms. They put feet to their prayers.
This day, pray – but don’t just pray. Do what you need to do as you wisely follow God.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: What are you praying about today? What do you need to do?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, I come to You. Show me what I need to do today.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Nehemiah 7-10