Scheming to Harm Me!

Nehemiah had returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity to begin to rebuild the city of Jerusalem. As he worked, he was under constant bombardment from the enemy. Notice what Nehemiah 6:1-2 says:  “When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it—though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates—Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: ‘Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.’ But they were scheming to harm me.”

Initially, they simply ridiculed him with hopes of discouraging him as they done to others in the past. But, Nehemiah was determined to complete his task. As he neared completion of the wall, their growing fears ignited a desire to bring harm to him. What set Nehemiah apart from others that had gone out to rebuild the wall? The others listened to the ridicule, allowed it to get to them, became discouraged, and finally left the task unfinished.

Nehemiah was different. He had a passion in his heart to see Jerusalem return to her former glory. He understood GOD had called him to a special mission and he was determined to fulfill God’s call. He rejected every attempt of the enemy to get him off task.

God has called you to something special. First, He has called you to “come out from among them and be separate” (2 Corinthians 6:17). But He also has called you to do specific works of service for the sake of His Kingdom. However, the enemy doesn’t want you following through. He will begin with ridicule and the offering of other tasks. But, as you remain on task, he will begin scheming to harm you.

So, what can you do? Frances Knight gives this tremendous advice: “It is important for us to acknowledge our adversary and know his strategy” (Christianity Alive with Prayer Power, p. 316). Her advice continues: “We must recognize what is happening before we get caught up in a vicious cycle of sinister plots.” So, you must always stay ahead of the enemy by knowing him, his schemes, and his actions in order to avoid falling prey to the harm he desires to bring upon you.

Get on task with GOD; stay on task with GOD; complete GOD’s work for your life!