“…and all of them conspired together to come and attack Jerusalem and create confusion. Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night.”
Nehemiah 4:8-9, NKJV
Nehemiah was a cupbearer to King Artaxerxes during the Captivity. When Nehemiah heard of the tragedies that had befallen Jerusalem, he was deeply troubled. The city’s walls had crumbled and many there lived in poverty.
Artaxerxes noticed Nehemiah’s sadness and asked him what was troubling him. Nehemiah explained the situation, asking the king for permission to return to Jerusalem and restore the protective wall.
Nehemiah’s request was granted and the task was done in fifty-two days. (Neh. 6:15)
It was not easy.
The work was hard and grueling. Nehemiah was continually taunted by the nations around him. His enemies even plotted together to overtake Jerusalem once they realized that the city was being rebuilt. But God was faithful and allowed the project to be completed.
What happened to all those platitudes about the fun and excitement of new beginnings?
No one talks about the times when a new beginning actually brings spiritual opposition. Maybe it’s a parent that doesn’t support your faith or a co-worker that openly mocks you for your beliefs.
Read through Nehemiah and look at the three things he did when he was under spiritual attack:
- He prayed to God, pouring out his troubles;
- He stood firm and held his people to the rules of their religion (no work on the Sabbath, making sure the Levites ritually cleansed themselves, etc.)
- He pressed on and continued his work of rebuilding Jerusalem and the Temple.
STAND FIRM.
Do not give up in the middle of your new beginning.
You might be encountering trouble on every side just like Nehemiah. But stand firm in the place that God has called you, too. He has a purpose for this season you’re walking through.
God, this is hard. You called me to a new beginning and I was excited. But now I’m worried. Everything and everyone seems against me. Please give me the strength and the courage to stand firm and continue the work You’ve set before me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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