Big Idea: When God’s people do God’s work, they will be met with Satan’s opposition.
Satan’s Strategy:
1. Forecasting .
“When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious. He mocked the Jews 2before his colleagues and the powerful men of Samaria and said, “What are these pathetic Jews doing? Can they restore it by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they ever finish it? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?” 3 Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “Indeed, even if a fox climbed up what they are building, he would break down their stone wall!”
Nehemiah 4:1-3
2. The of loss.
“When Sanballat, Tobiah, and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the repair to the walls of Jerusalem was progressing and that the gaps were being closed, they became furious. 8They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and throw it into confusion.”
Nehemiah 4:7-8
3. .
“In Judah, it was said: The strength of the laborer fails, since there is so much rubble.”
Nehemiah 4:10a
4. .
“… We will never be able to rebuild the wall.”
Nehemiah 4:10b
5. chatter.
“And our enemies said, “They won’t realize it until we’re among them and can kill them and stop the work. When the Jews who lived nearby arrived, they said to us time and again, “Everywhere you turn, they attack us.”
Nehemiah 4:11-12
The Warriors’ Weapons:
1. Spiritual: God’s Promises.
“Listen, our God, for we are despised. Make their insults return on their own heads and let them be taken as plunder to a land of captivity. 5 Do not cover their guilt or let their sin be erased from your sight, because they have angered the builders.”
Nehemiah 4:4-5
“So we prayed to our God and stationed a guard because of them day and night.”
Nehemiah 4:9
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.”
Ephesians 6:12
2. Physical: with God’s people.
“So I stationed people behind the lowest sections of the wall, at the vulnerable areas. I stationed them by families with their swords, spears, and bows.”
Nehemiah 4:13
“From that day on, half of my men did the work while the other half held spears, shields, bows, and armor. The officers supported all the people of Judah, 17 who were rebuilding the wall. The laborers who carried the loads worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other.”
Nehemiah 4:16-17
3. Mental: .
“So we continued the work, while half of the men were holding spears from daybreak until the stars came out. 22At that time, I also said to the people, “Let everyone and his servant spend the night inside Jerusalem, so that they can stand guard by night and work by day.” 23And I, my brothers, my servants, and the men of the guard with me never took off our clothes. Each carried his weapon, even when washing.”
Nehemiah 4:21-23
“I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock where I seek refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I was saved from my enemies. The ropes of death were wrapped around me; the torrents of destruction terrified me. The ropes of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me. I called to the Lord in my distress, and I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.”
Psalm 18:1-6