From Broken to Restored: The Book of NehemiahSample

Read: Nehemiah 4:6–14

SOAP: Nehemiah 4:14

When I had made an inspection, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the great and awesome Lᴏʀᴅ, and fight on behalf of your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your families.”

Into the Text

The opposition to rebuilding continued. When the people remained steadfast, their enemies opposed them with more force. They conspired to move against Jerusalem with an army and kill the people. Their hatred for the Jews drove them to do whatever it took to stop the work of rebuilding.

Nehemiah continued to pray. He led the people in turning to God and asking Him to stop their enemies. Sanballat, Tobiah, and the others who opposed them did not recognize the power of God that was with the Jews. Even though the Jews were vulnerable, their God was not. He would fight for them and protect them. Nehemiah knew this and reminded the people of who their God was. He encouraged and exhorted them to remember God, not be afraid, and fight for their families. They were fighting for the glory of God and the continuation of the work. Nothing that their enemies could do would thwart the work and purposes of God.

We, too, have a very real enemy. Our enemy may not look like a physical army coming to attack us, but there is a spiritual army planning an attack on us every day. The devil’s hatred for us will drive him to do whatever he can to stop the work God is doing in and through us.

Nehemiah did not cower in fear when his enemies plotted to attack, and neither do we. We have been given power through Christ, and all we have to do to stand firm is look to Him. He promises to protect us, guard us, and fight for us.

Whatever we face, whatever battle we find ourselves in, we can take Nehemiah’s exhortation to heart: Don’t be afraid, remember the great and awesome Lord, and fight on behalf of your families. We do not need to fear, because the great and awesome God we serve is always, always fighting on our behalf. We can fight the enemy, the powers of darkness, and the rulers of the world because of His power. May we be warriors who pray, both trusting God to fight on our behalf and willing to stand up and fight when He calls us to do so.