Scripture to Read: Nehemiah 4:1-3
We read in Nehemiah 4:1-3 again about Sanballat and Tobiah. Remember that we were introduced to these two men back in Nehemiah 2:10. Sanballat and Tobiah were totally against the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem. Sanballat was so angry that he mocked Nehemiah and the rest of the Jews who were working to rebuild the wall. Sanballat is recorded as saying, in Nehemiah 4:2, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Are they going to restore it for themselves? Can they offer sacrifices? Can they finish in a day? Can they revive the stones from the dusty rubble even the burned ones?” Sanballat has nothing but ridicule and mockery to say to the Jews. Then we read in Nehemiah 4:3 that Tobiah was near Sanballat, and Tobiah joined in on the mocking of the Jews who were rebuilding the wall. When we are involved in God’s work, we can be guaranteed that Satan and the demons will raise their ugly heads and use people to come against us. We must not be surprised by the attacks, but we ought to expect a battle. God tells us in Ephesians 6:12, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” So, our battle is not with people being used by the spiritual forces of darkness but with the forces of darkness themselves. Let’s be sure to be ready for the right battle.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about the battlefield we walk into each day as followers of Christ?
2. Who can you share this truth with today that needs some encouragement in the battle they are facing?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!