Scripture to Read: Nehemiah 6:5-7
We have so much to learn from what God is teaching us in Nehemiah. As we saw in yesterday’s devotion, Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of Nehemiah’s enemies raised their ugly heads seeking to stop the work on the wall and to harm Nehemiah. Nehemiah 6:5-7 declare that Nehemiah’s enemies were continuing to be relentless. Nehemiah had already refused to meet with his enemies four different times. On this fifth invitation from Nehemiah’s enemies, they made it clear to Nehemiah that they were going to report lies to the king if Nehemiah did not meet with his enemies. This attack from Nehemiah’s enemies should not surprise us. Satan is the father of lies, as Jesus points out to us in John 8:44, “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” So, for Nehemiah’s enemies to lie about him is what ought to be expected. As believers, we will also be accused falsely of things when we are living for our Lord and walking in obedience to Him. Jesus told us in Matthew 5:11-12 that we are blessed when we are falsely accused because of Christ in us. Jesus also told us to rejoice because His reward to us far exceeds any momentary trials we go through here on earth.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about your enemies and how you are to respond when falsely accused of something?
2. How will you apply what God has taught you today?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!