“Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper; therefore we will arise and build.” – Nehemiah 2: 20A(KJV)
The above scripture is a highly profound statement of faith underscored by a deep rooted confidence in God’s ability. We will consider three key phrases in this statement: “The God of heaven”, “He will prosper us” and “we will arise and build.” We are looking at these phrases from the background of hostile neighbours and environment. In verse 10 of the chapter in discourse, the scripture said: “When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.” This statement clearly shows the picture of a very hostile neighbour. Again in verse 19 we see the addition of Geshem, the Arabian, to the number of hostility. They laughed them to scorn, and despised them. We have a picture of hostility, mockery and intimidation. It is in this situation that Nehemiah answered them in our scriptural verse of today. Nehemiah’s answer gives us an insight on how to respond to our overconfident and arrogant enemies. First in your response you put God in front (The God of Heaven), letting your enemy know the source of your power and reliance. The three Hebrew Children used the same principle in Daniel 3:17(NKJV): “If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.” Projecting God in front is bringing Him into the contention. The Almighty said in Isaiah 41: 11(NKJV) – “Behold, all those who are incensed against you shall be ashamed and disgraced; they shall be as nothing, and those who strive with you shall perish.” It is therefore proper that when you contend with your enemies who are out to destroy you, you boast and stand firm in projecting your God as your strength. You rely on the promises of God concerning you and put God forward as the commander you are following into battle. This is what Nehemiah did.
Most times, when we are confronted with the hostility of our enemies, we usually begin to rely on our strength in the form of verbal response, looking for legal ground, attacking with physical weapon etc. We must act like Nehemiah by putting God in front as our strength. This was the same principle applied by David against Goliath that brought down the Philistine. “Then David said to the Philistine, You come with a sword, with a spear and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defiled.” – 1 Samuel 17: 45(NJKV).
My dear reader, we will be discussing further on this as the Lord bid us tomorrow.
Prayer: Father teach me how to completely rely on you to fight my enemies.
Bro. Joel Ezeugo