PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Nehemiah 5-6
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“They were all trying to frighten us, but I prayed ‘Strengthen my hands.’” (Nehemiah 6:9)
In this story voices of intimidation weaken the people’s confidence and resolve.
Behind this intimidation is our spiritual enemy, the source of lies and fear.
The word ‘angel’ (‘angelos’) literally means ‘messenger’, a spiritual messenger.
Dark angels spread dark thoughts to distract, discourage and defeat us.
I am sure you experience these negative voices, undermining your faith, hope and love.
There are also encouraging voices, messages from God that point us in the right direction.
But what voices do we listen to, which voices do we follow and act upon?
Nehemiah refused to be intimidated; He looked to God for strength and received it.
He set his mind on the Lord, and his hands were strengthened to do what needed doing.
Many people discount the ‘devil’ or ‘demons’, meanwhile they are under attack.
Many of these same people struggle with dark, discouraging or deceiving whispers.
We need to discern our thoughts, and how they affect our feelings and behaviours.
We need to engage in cognitive behavioral warfare, to reject the lies and choose the truth!
Jesus is the voice (word) of God, and the angels echo him; I choose to listen to him!
PRAYER
Lord, I also hear whispers of doubt, fear, anxiety, confusion and defeat in my head and heart. May your voice speak louder in my soul, and may I choose to listen to you!
I have come to a new understanding of why and how we feel darkness. We have a tendancy to flee from it, for with it brings despair, doubt and feelings of defeat. We are called to confront darkness, we may uncover some and remove it, but when it returns, deeper into the darkness we must venture to determine it’s root. Rooting out the darkness, exposes us to light, and we don’t always like what the light reveals.
Do not be discouraged, for when darkness leaves us, we feel the fullness of the pain of the darkness seeing it reflected through us onto ourselves and others. This is what leads to repentance. Revelling in the light and fleeing from darkness may make us more comfortable, but it is a false comfort, for we must take comfort in the destroyer of darkness, not that he will protect us from darkness, but that he will purge it from us and make us like him, not by waving a magic wand, but by instructing us about the wages of sin through the light of the Spirit.
How often I forget that the messages I listen to come from “lies” that are outside me but have tricked me to believe that they are “truths” from within me, sometimes doing this so long that I cannot even tell where they come from and I ruminate over and over….. and over!! I feel like I need Post It notes with the truths on them so I visually can see the truth when my mind wanders into lies. The truth about who I am, who others are, who Jesus truly is and that I am loved. I wonder why the lies are easier to believe and the truth is work? Maybe this is also a truth I need to accept. Also thinking about the wall–it’s always for defense but in that cognitive behavioral way it can be “defensive” — keeping the pain and ugliness inside until it is transformed into the sure defense with Jesus protecting His people.
Ephesians 6: 10 – 20
Scheming/plotting – all to stop the rebuilders – all to stop Nehemiah and undermine his resolve. As the work on the wall progressed the opposition tried harder and harder to intimidate. When I am intimidated I need to reflect and check – intimidation is a sign that what I am doing has gotten the attention of the evil one who wants to stop what I am doing. If I don’t stir the pot or stand up for any injustice or issues in our society today – I’m not going to be intimidated by others. Help me Lord to stand up and resist – not to be put down but to strive for what is just and fair and right! HS lead me – let me listen to you!
Nehemiah listened to the voice of the Lord God and God was His help in the rebuilding. Inspite of all odds that were against him, he knew where his strength came from. I am reminded of Samuel, speak Lord for Your servant is listening. I too need to listen to that voice which says, this is the way. Walk in it. God will give His people strength.
God gives His people strength;
If we believe in His way
He’s swift to repay
All those who bare the burden of the day;
God gives His people strength.
God gives His people love;
If we but open wide our heart
He’s sure to do His part
He’s always the first to make a start;
God gives His people love.
God gives His people peace;
When sorrow fills us to brim
And courage grows dim
He lays to rest our restlessness in Him.
God gives His people peace.