Nehemiah’s response to the fear tactics of the enemy was to turn to God. “O God, strengthen my hands” (Neh. 6:9). He did not cower but he did realize his need for God. The Lord was his refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. The strength needed was not simply to withstand but to press on in mission. 

Prayer In Nehemiah (14)

“For they all were trying to make us afraid, saying, ‘Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be done.’ Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.” (Nehemiah 6:9, NKJV) 

Our Lord Jesus tells us that He will build His church and the gates of hell will not stand against it. In His high priestly prayer, He asks that the Father not take His disciples out of the world but that He protect them from the evil one. 

Every New Testament writer alerts us to the presence of a spiritual enemy. This enemy, the devil and his demons, opposes us in our walk with Christ and the work He assigns us for the sake of His kingdom. 

The devil often works through the agents and agencies of this fallen world, offering opposing counsel and what James labels “demonic wisdom” in an effort to discredit the holy God and discourage the work of the kingdom of God. 

Paul exposes these charlatans who pretend to be on the side of Christ but are nothing but infiltrators to the camp. “But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works” (2 Cor. 11:12–15; cf. 2 Thess. 3:2-3). 

Nehemiah is engaged in God’s work. He has been called to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem that had been broken down and burned by the Babylonian army.

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