Scripture to Read: Nehemiah 5:1-5
When we ended last week’s devotions in Nehemiah 4, we found the Israelites in Jerusalem all working together to rebuild the wall. The people were ready for battle with one hand and working on the wall with the other hand. As we read Nehemiah 5, there is no mention of the wall being worked on, but there is a great outcry among the people. Since the people of Jerusalem had become united against their enemies, they suddenly became focused on each other, and they started fighting among themselves. Our enemy, Satan, and all the fallen angels, the demons, will attack us, as believers, any way they can. If the attack from outside the body of believers does not work, then the spiritual forces of darkness will seek to get us to fight among each other. As believers, we must guard our hearts and minds from being distracted by the things of this world. God warns us in Ephesians 6:12 that our true battle is against an enemy we cannot see with our physical eyes. We must make sure we are obeying what God has told us to do in Ephesians 6:10-18 to be prepared for battle and to make sure we’re waging war against the right enemy. If we are fighting among ourselves, then we are losing the daily battles because our true enemies know we’re not battling against them. Also, when we’re battling each other, we are distracted from the work God has for us to accomplish each day.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about how our enemies work against us?
2. What will you do each day to prepare for battle and to not get distracted from the work God has for you to do?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!