Passage
Nehemiah 4:1-14 (ESV)
Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
Acts 8:26-40
Key Verse: 8:35
Overcoming Opposition and Threats
Date: Nov. 5, 2014
Daily Bread
Key Verse: 4:14b
First, "Hear us, our God, for we are despised" (1-9). Sanballat, governor of Samaria (2), was their chief enemy (2:10,19). He mocked their efforts as feeble. His sidekick Tobiah said a fox could knock down their wall. Nehemiah didn't argue; he prayed a curse on them (4-5). They kept working whole-heartedly to rebuild, and the wall reached half its height (6). The enemies became more angry, and plotted to fight and stir up trouble. But Nehemiah prayed and posted a guard (7-9).
Second, "Remember the Lord" (10-14). Enemy taunts made the workers feel vulnerable and the hard task of rebuilding made them feel weak. Fear and despair began to grip them. So Nehemiah took action. He posted armed men at the wall's lowest points. Then he said, "Don't be afraid...Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families..."
Prayer: Lord, help us to remember that you are awesome and great, so we may fight and win against fear and despair.
One Word: Fight with prayer and doing the Lord's work
