Continue the Work with Even Greater Determination

“They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us and stop the work. So I continued the work with even greater determination.” – Nehemiah 6:9

Does the first part of this sound like a theme of your life, maybe for a while now? The enemy tries to stop the work.

But then, sister, brother, you continue with greater determination.

That’s Nehemiah’s testimony.

He was engaged in a great work—doing God’s will for his life—leading the rebuilding of the city walls of Jerusalem.

The enemy, however, tried a variety of tactics to intimidate Nehemiah and those working with him. The enemy’s goal was simple: to stop the work of God.

It’s still the enemy’s goal today.

Do any of these tactics the enemy directed at Nehemiah sound familiar in your current situation?

• Contemptuous scoffing (Neh. 2:19)
• False accusation (Neh. 2:19)
• Anger, rage, and mocking (Neh. 4:1)
• Insults (Neh. 4:2-4)
• Fury (Neh. 4:7)
• Plans to fight against God’s people (Neh. 4:8)
• Plans to throw God’s people into confusion (Neh. 4:8)
• Predictions of attacking and killing and ending the work (Neh. 4:11-12)
• Creating the need to devote resources to defense (Neh. 4:13-23)
• Plotting harm (Neh. 6:1-4)
• Lies designed to cause trouble (Neh. 6:5-8)
• Attempts to intimidate and discourage (Neh. 6:9)
• Lies designed to intimidate and cause God’s people to sin and be discredited (Neh. 6:10-14)
• Scrutiny (Neh. 6:17-19)
• Gossip and stirring people up (Neh. 6:17-19)
• Threats designed to intimidate (Neh. 6:19)

It’s Satan’s playbook. And it didn’t work against Nehemiah.

Nehemiah continued the work with greater determination.

So can you.

“Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord.” – Nehemiah 4:14

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