We wrestle against our spiritual adversary by holding fast to God and His word, staying the course in seeking His kingdom and righteousness. Perhaps our primary weapon, however, is prayer, not only for ourselves but also for our fellow believers and the work to be done, as Paul stresses: “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” (Eph. 6:18). 

Prayer in Nehemiah (9)

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” (Eph. 6:10, NKJV)

I love Romans 16. It is filled with names, some merely listed, some explained for their involvement in the work of the kingdom. Phoebe, Priscilla and Aquila, Ephaenetus, Ampias, Herodian, Persis, and Julia are among the litany of names mentioned by the apostle Paul. 

The church may have one Lord but it is not a one man show. That is reflected loud and clear in the book of Nehemiah. The cupbearer to the king has arrived in Jerusalem to find it just as he had been informed – in ruins. 

Nehemiah provided leadership for the cause of rebuilding. Chapter 3 is filled with names. Eiashib the high priest, the men of Jericho, the sons of Hassenaah, Meshullam, Uzziel, Jedaiah and many others stepped up to the cause to serve their Lord God. Men stepped out of their ordinary roles to do the work. There were exceptions, such as the nobles of the Tekoites (Neh. 3:15) who are notable for their lack of service, but the overwhelming picture is of a shared effort. 

What a beautiful picture of God’s people, engaged in labor for the Lord! Part of that picture, however, are those on the periphery trying to weasel their way in to undermine that labor. 

When Paul cites fellow workers for the gospel in Romans 16, he urges unity, warns against pseudo-servers (those who “do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly” Rom. 16:18), and the need to be alert to the opposition of evil. He encourages them with the assurance that “the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly” (Rom. 16:20). 

Likewise, in the kingdom work of Nehemiah and the rebuilding of the wall we find opposition. 

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