Facing the opposition…

 Facing the opposition….

I have known struggling addicts of several kinds of addictions…alcohol, drugs, food, porn, etc….they know what to do and do it…but, it is not without a battle….the rewards are great in following what they know is right…but it is not easy…there seems to always be someone who holds out a carrot of temptation…”just this once won’t matter” or “they’ll never know”…

Whenever I read this chapter 4 of Nehemiah, it reminds me of this…the enemy does not want us to succeed in God’s calling.  He will taunt us, ridicule, tear down, temp, call names , etc,etc….he doesn’t want to give up “his” territory in our lives…

I so appreciate Nehemiah through this time…

 Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders. 

And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night. 

And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. 

Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” 

In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”Neh.4.4,Neh.4.5,Neh.4.9,Neh.4.14,Neh.4.20

He kept bringing the people back to God’s calling…

David…

 O Lord my God, in you do I take refuge;save me from all my pursuers and deliver me, lest like a lion they tear my soul apart,rending it in pieces, with none to deliver. 

Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end,and may you establish the righteous—you who test the minds and hearts,O righteous God! 

My shield is with God,who saves the upright in heart.

Ps.7.1,Ps.7.2,Ps.7.9,Ps.7.10

Isaiah….

 to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,the oil of gladness instead of mourning,the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;that they may be called oaks of righteousness,the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.Isa.61.3

Paul…

 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. 

To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Eph.6.10-18

The enemy hasn’t given up over the ages, We have the Same God who fights for us…stands behind, with and before us…

Thank YOU…

Surrounded…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBl84oZxnJ4&list=RDYBl84oZxnJ4&start_radio=1