Week of Monday June 2 – June 8
Mission Focused – Man as Defender
Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates), Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm. And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner. In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. In it was written, “It is reported among the nations, and Geshem also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king. And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem, ‘There is a king in Judah.’ And now the king will hear of these reports. So now come and let us take counsel together.” Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind.” For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands. - Nehemiah 6: 1-9 ESV
Renowned Bible teacher Warren Wiersbe tells a compelling story about staying on mission despite criticism:
During the early days of the Salvation Army, William Booth and his associates were bitterly attacked in the press by religious leaders and government leaders alike. Whenever his son, Bramwell, showed Booth a newspaper attack, the General would reply, “Bramwell, fifty years hence it will matter very little indeed how these people treated us; it will matter a great deal how we dealt with the work of God."
As you know, Nehemiah was on a mission from God to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. The call was clear; there was no question in the man of God’s mind regarding his assignment. When Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem asked him to stop his important work for a “meeting” with them, Nehemiah saw right through their invitation. These enemies of Israel were not only spreading a false narrative about God’s good work, but they were also scheming against God’s leader! They were obviously thinking: “Take out Nehemiah, and the work will stop.” But Nehemiah was not falling for it. He repeatedly told them, “No!” He declared, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down” (verse 3). He was mission-focused.
Just as Nehemiah stayed on task and stood strong and courageous, we, too, need to pursue our God-given missions with laser-focused tenacity. We need God’s help to recognize the enemy’s false narratives and schemes that aim to sideline us or even take us out. Don’t miss how Nehemiah went to the Lord for help in verse 9. He prayed, “But now, O God, strengthen my hands.” This is great advice for us as well. We are tasked with an important mission. Our families are under constant attack from the evil one and his forces, but remember: “he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Let’s faithfully stay on task, building our families spiritually just as Nehemiah built those walls around Jerusalem. May God strengthen our hands to defend our loved ones from the enemy and stay mission-focused!
- Do you maintain a disciplined focus on the mission God has given you as a Defender of your home, Battle Buddy, church family, etc., so that no enemy can distract you or harm them?
- Are you training up spiritual champions who can fight and flourish in the spiritual battles we face?
- Pray and ask the Lord for discernment to recognize the enemy’s schemes and for strength to carry out your God-given mission effectively.
Mission Focused – Man as Defender
Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates), Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm. And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner. In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. In it was written, “It is reported among the nations, and Geshem also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king. And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem, ‘There is a king in Judah.’ And now the king will hear of these reports. So now come and let us take counsel together.” Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind.” For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands. - Nehemiah 6: 1-9 ESV
Renowned Bible teacher Warren Wiersbe tells a compelling story about staying on mission despite criticism:
During the early days of the Salvation Army, William Booth and his associates were bitterly attacked in the press by religious leaders and government leaders alike. Whenever his son, Bramwell, showed Booth a newspaper attack, the General would reply, “Bramwell, fifty years hence it will matter very little indeed how these people treated us; it will matter a great deal how we dealt with the work of God."
As you know, Nehemiah was on a mission from God to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. The call was clear; there was no question in the man of God’s mind regarding his assignment. When Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem asked him to stop his important work for a “meeting” with them, Nehemiah saw right through their invitation. These enemies of Israel were not only spreading a false narrative about God’s good work, but they were also scheming against God’s leader! They were obviously thinking: “Take out Nehemiah, and the work will stop.” But Nehemiah was not falling for it. He repeatedly told them, “No!” He declared, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down” (verse 3). He was mission-focused.
Just as Nehemiah stayed on task and stood strong and courageous, we, too, need to pursue our God-given missions with laser-focused tenacity. We need God’s help to recognize the enemy’s false narratives and schemes that aim to sideline us or even take us out. Don’t miss how Nehemiah went to the Lord for help in verse 9. He prayed, “But now, O God, strengthen my hands.” This is great advice for us as well. We are tasked with an important mission. Our families are under constant attack from the evil one and his forces, but remember: “he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Let’s faithfully stay on task, building our families spiritually just as Nehemiah built those walls around Jerusalem. May God strengthen our hands to defend our loved ones from the enemy and stay mission-focused!
- Do you maintain a disciplined focus on the mission God has given you as a Defender of your home, Battle Buddy, church family, etc., so that no enemy can distract you or harm them?
- Are you training up spiritual champions who can fight and flourish in the spiritual battles we face?
- Pray and ask the Lord for discernment to recognize the enemy’s schemes and for strength to carry out your God-given mission effectively.