Is This How I Fight My Battles? (2/13/23)

Nehemiah 4:1-8

NEHEMIAH

4/1/2023

Read: Nehemiah 4:1-8 (AMP)

Biblical Lesson…

In these passages of Nehemiah, the mockery of Sanballat and Tobiah the Amorite have been spoken over the Jewish remnant of builders.  Mocking words said to weaken Nehemiah and the Jewish remnant's resolve and morale to rebuild, reshape and reform Jerusalem and Jewish society as set forth by God through Nehemiah. 

The lesson given in these passages is not in the action of the mockers, rather it is in the response of Nehemiah. Nehemiah's prayer is a reflection of a faith-filled man who did not "fight back" by responding to his tormentors. Instead, Nehemiah immediately in prayer and petition laid the mockers at God's feet as he and the other builders set their faith upon God's promise through their assignment and "the people had a heart to work."

Image by Jeff Jacobs from Pixabay.

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In the New testament, the instruction and an illustration of this type of battling are as follows:

  1. Paul's instruction as to Euodia and Syntyche (Philippians 4:1-7);and

  2. Paul and Silas' imprisonment (Acts 16:16-34).

Today's Version…

In today's world, we see the mockers and the morale crushers on social media today. Whether it is insults, mockery or cancellation dished out, more often than not, the parties will fight these battles on their own terms and rarely turn these battles over to the Lord. I, like most people, have the knee-jerk reaction to do so. Should we not fight our battles like Nehemiah? Lay it at the Lord's feet and keep going forward in what He has called us to do?

What to do…

It's not easy to choose to pray and give the battle to God when things are personal, but each person needs to try because the Lord strengthens those He has chosen who call upon him. So, this week, if you find yourself the target of insults, mockery or cancellation: 

  1. Listen (and sing along) to Upper Room - Surrounded (Fight My Battles);

  2. Pray and lift up your tormentors to the Lord and ask Him if you need to do anything in this battle;

  3. Accept the peace that comes with the instruction of the Lord as you heed those instructions.

  4. Journal about the experience and how it made you feel. Give thanks to the Lord in this victory.