Build the Wall

“Build the Wall” reminds us that opposition will come when we follow God’s call. Stay prayerful, stand firm, and keep doing the work He has given you.

“All of them conspired together to come to fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion […] Our enemies said, ‘They will not know or see until we come among them, kill them and put a stop to the work.’”—Nehemiah 4:8–11 NASB

Powerful people fought to keep the wall in Jerusalem from being built. But in spite of their opposition, work on the wall began.

These enemies renewed their efforts by causing confusion. The Hebrew word suggests they wanted the Jews to engage in error and immoral behavior, to become troubled and confused, or to wander from the tasks God had given them.

Nehemiah responded by turning to serious prayer! He and the people engaged in defensive warfare, setting up “a guard against them day and night” (v. 9). They refused to let their enemies disrupt their efforts.

Nehemiah would not allow a spirit of defeat and discouragement to spread. He reminded his people that God was “great and awesome” (v. 14). Armed with renewed faith and confidence, all of them returned to work (v. 15), and the wall was successfully rebuilt.

Don’t be surprised if you face these same kinds of problems: taunts and attacks, efforts to spread fear and discouragement, mockery and insults, temptations and trials. Don’t be shocked by conspiracies from people desiring to entice you from God’s path and cause you to embrace errors and become confused.

Instead of being discouraged or distracted by this opposition, surrender your life to God and be a person of prayer. Be filled with His Word and the power of His Spirit. Be ready to engage in spiritual warfare and don’t let the devil have even the smallest victory. Persevere!

Reflection Question: What distractions or opposition might be pulling you away from God’s work?