Nehemiah 6:1–14 - 1 Now when it was reported to Sanballat, Tobiah, to Geshem the Arab and to the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall, and that no breach remained in it, although at that time I had not set up the doors in the gates, 2 then Sanballat and Geshem sent a message to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together at Chephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they were planning to harm me. 3 So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” 4 They sent messages to me four times in this manner, and I answered them in the same way. 5 Then Sanballat sent his servant to me in the same manner a fifth time with an open letter in his hand. 6 In it was written, “It is reported among the nations, and Gashmu says, that you and the Jews are planning to rebel; therefore you are rebuilding the wall. And you are to be their king, according to these reports. 7 “You have also appointed prophets to proclaim in Jerusalem concerning you, ‘A king is in Judah!’ And now it will be reported to the king according to these reports. So come now, let us take counsel together.” 8 Then I sent a message to him saying, “Such things as you are saying have not been done, but you are inventing them in your own mind.” 9 For all of them were trying to frighten us, thinking, “They will become discouraged with the work and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands. 10 When I entered the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was confined at home, he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you, and they are coming to kill you at night.” 11 But I said, “Should a man like me flee? And could one such as I go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.” 12 Then I perceived that surely God had not sent him, but he uttered his prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 He was hired for this reason, that I might become frightened and act accordingly and sin, so that they might have an evil report in order that they could reproach me. 14 Remember, O my God, Tobiah and Sanballat according to these works of theirs, and also Noadiah the prophetess and the rest of the prophets who were trying to frighten me.
What does today’s passage say?
In today's passage, enemies like Sanballat and Tobiah tried distracting Nehemiah from rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls (vv. 1-4). They invited him to meet together, likely to slow his progress, but Nehemiah discerned this attempt to draw him away from God's work. Later, more letters arrived containing false charges against Nehemiah (vv. 5-9). But he responded truthfully in a letter, refusing to lash out in anger over these lies even as the attacks continued. Finally, a man named Shemaiah advised Nehemiah to hide safely in the temple to avoid harassment. However, Nehemiah realized this reasonable-sounding compromise opposed God’s command to rebuild the walls. So he continued the work, discerning deception and trusting God to protect him (vv. 10-14).
How can I apply Nehemiah 6:1-14 to my life?
As leaders and believers, we must remain vigilant to stand on Kingdom purposes when difficulties arise. Much like Nehemiah faced from distracting enemies in today’s passage, you and I can expect spiritual battles seeking to draw our attention from completing God-ordained assignments. Whether opposition comes subtly through interrupted priorities or openly by direct threats, the adversary always wants to take our focus off the Lord's directives. Yet as Nehemiah's example shows, maintaining prayerful discernment grants wisdom for responding biblically rather than reacting carnally. When bombarded by deception, the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and biblical principles will realign our emotion-fogged perspectives - truth dispels confusion. As leaders and believers walking in Nehemiah’s footsteps, we too must anchor ourselves to righteous responses aligned with biblical truth when adversities blur our vision. By filtering life through the Holy Spirit’s lens, He guides our next step decisions and empowers perseverance. God remains faithful to complete the good work He began in us as we finish races well! Here are some basic principles from this passage that we should apply to our lives:
1. Stay Focused on God’s Work Despite Distractions (vv. 1-4): When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem and the others tried to pull Nehemiah away from rebuilding Jerusalem’s wall, they invited him to meet together. But Nehemiah could see through their distraction tactics. He knew God had not sent these enemies to give helpful advice about His work! As leaders today, you and I must also use discernment when opponents or interrupted priorities try to draw us away from what God has called us to do. His work must keep first place, even if worldly power starts making big promises to slow us down. Walking in God’s specific will is rarely easy, but keeping our focus on His purposes always pays off eternally. The key is praying for heavenly wisdom to weigh all options through Scriptural truth - does this conversation pull me towards or away from what the Lord has asked me to focus on? We need His discernment injected into our brains! That gives clarity for recognizing when attacks or temptations are masking underlying selfish motives. Then we can stand strong against distraction storms through Christ’s power inside. So, stay vigilant against anything separating you from finishing the race well. Check often that your eyes are fixed on Jesus’ priorities, not just what brings more recognition from people or temporary pleasure. Serving God requires committed devotion that overcomes every tricky detour the enemy schemes up (Ephesians 6:18; James 1:5; Hebrews 10:35-36)!
Food for Thought: What rewards might you miss by chasing compromises over God’s primary assignments? How can leaders cultivate discernment over distraction today through Scripture and prayer?
2. Respond to Untruth with Truth and Prayer (vv. 5-9): When more letters containing false charges came to Nehemiah, he saw through their deceptive words. Understanding the truth of the situation, he sent a truthful reply to refute the lies. As godly leaders, we too will face false accusations and untruths about our work and motives from opponents. Like Nehemiah, the most powerful response is to stay closely connected to God in prayer while also directly addressing distortions with proper truth. Rather than lashing out in anger or fear at such slander, we can echo Jesus's example of confidently standing on the Father's direction. Scripture arms us to expect these types of attacks, so leaders must prepare ahead of time to answer them respectfully yet firmly. By going before God first when confronted by lies, He reassures our souls and realigns perspectives no longer clouded by emotion. We access perfect divine wisdom on proper next actions that both defend reputations and avoid escalating tensions unnecessarily. Moving forward in accusing situations by operating from a foundation of prayer and truth protects us from impatience as God guides timing and word choices. And saturating our minds in Bible truth dispels confusion when opponents try rewriting reality. Just as Nehemiah kept records to verify progress made, documenting evidence of integrity provides substance when facing false witnesses. Respond biblically, not carnally. Seek godly counsel from other leaders when interpretations get muddied by misrepresentations. Stand confident on Christ’s righteousness continuing construction of His Kingdom purposes, not our own reputation. God sees and approves the fruit of faithfulness, even if some refuse seeing past surface attacks. Persevering prayerfully through backlash earns eternal rewards for finishing races well (Psalm 37:5-6, Proverbs 3:5-6; Matthew 5:11-12).
Food for Thought: How can leaders prepare themselves to respond properly if faced with lies or misconstrued intentions? What role does humility play when accusations feel personal or undermine progress?
3. Trust God Even When the Ways of the World Would Seem to Make Life Easier (vv. 10-14): When Shemaiah tried to intimidate Nehemiah into hiding in the temple for safety, this advice sounded reasonable according to typical human logic. Why not avoid additional harassment from enemies by just laying low for a while? However, Nehemiah immediately recognized the suggestion opposed God’s original directive to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls. As leaders, you and I must also filter all guidance through the lens of Scripture before acting. Natural human reasoning questions if standing firmly by biblical principles makes sense when the world keeps presenting “easy way out” options. These BACKDOOR compromises try convincing us to tweak integrity “just this once” to bypass friction. However, secular rationales that contradict God’s Word always conceal bigger consequences later. Temporary relief leads to long-term bondage! So, while uncomfortable now, obeying the Father no matter how society pressures again proves the only path to freedom and fulfillment. When adversity comes, stop and pray first for heavenly insight on proper responses aligning with truth versus emotion. Our flesh craves escaping trials quickly through convenient exits, leaning on personal effort. But the Holy Spirit will always guide us in the direction of God’s will if we listen – where He then provides power and perspective for persevering. Faith to follow God’s wisdom, not convenient lies masquerading as escape routes, demonstrates spiritual maturity sharpened through tests. As servants who answer to the Lord alone, we must filter all advice through His word rather than secular “common sense.” Knee-jerk fight or flight reactions reveal mixed-up loyalties; our security and self-image cannot be tied to anything except Christ. Trust wholly in God’s complete sufficiency for every need, especially when opposition heats up. He stands faithful to lead leaders onward to finish well (Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 30:21; Philippians 4:19).
Food for Thought: When has advice from even well-meaning friends unknowingly contradicted God’s path for you? What helps reorient focus back to biblical truth versus emotion? How can leaders model unwavering commitment to obeying God's Word despite personal cost?
Today, Nehemiah warns Nehemiah warns us as fellow leaders in the work of the Lord about allowing ourselves to be distracted by deception from steadfastly pursuing God’s primary work assignments for us. The enemy uses worldly relationships or convenient compromises pretending to offer relief amidst adversity. However, anything guiding us contrary to Scripture should raise immediate discernment red flags! As exemplified by Nehemiah’s faithful leadership, instantly take these pivotal steps when opposition arrives packaged as neutral suggestions: 1) Pray first for heavenly insight exposing underlying agendas that may oppose God’s express will. His perfect wisdom then aligns proper biblical responses; 2) Boldly refute distortions of truth with scriptural integrity; 3) Even when convenient escapes seem reasonable per typical human logic, trust wholly in God’s higher ways instead; 4) Draw strength by remembering God remains sovereign over every attack against His people. Victory comes not from self-preservation but persevering prayerfully on His narrow path.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that You would increase discernment in my life to recognize anything guiding me away from Your primary will and purposes. When convenient options or opponents threaten to interrupt what You have called me specifically to, align my thoughts with Yours through Scripture instead of my limited human rationale. I pray that You would allow me to see through any advice or attacks that contradict Your express directions found in the Bible. Please give me boldness and wisdom to address distortions directly with scriptural truth. I pray that You would help me to trust You fully by rejecting the easy way out or any words sparking impatience, pride, or fleshly reactions and may all counsel pass through the filter of biblical integrity. Empower me to persevere with eternal perspective when adversity arrives and remind me often that Your sovereignty stands over any harassment allowed as You refine me for greater usefulness in Your hands.
I pray these things in the most precious name of Jesus, Amen.
Nehemiah 6:9 - For all of them were trying to frighten us, thinking, “They will become discouraged with the work and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands.
With His Blessings,
Pastor Corby
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