Expect Opposition

Nehemiah 4:14 NIV “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”

When we strive to rebuild our lives because of the loss of a family member, marital conflict, divorce, economic instability, addiction, betrayal or some other challenge, we can expect opposition. The devil hates us and uses people to mock us, to threaten us or to block our rebuilding. Nehemiah faced the ridicule and the threats of Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the men of Ashdod.

Sometimes, we, like the people in Judah in verse 10, feel our strength diminish, but we don’t give up. We have their example to offer us hope. “Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked” (verses 17-18). They prepared themselves in case of attack. They remembered who the Lord is and were ready to fight for their families and their homes.

When we feel weary from the attacks of Satan who is ready to devour us, we can put on the armor of God. We can do as Nehemiah and the others did and keep our armor on day and night.

Dear God, help me fight for my family and my home. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Application: What will I do today to ward off opposition?