Nehemiah 6:9 They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.”
But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.”

Nehemiah was faced with satanic opposition expressed through people, but he recognized what was going on and he turned to God. Once again he is an example for everyone who would serve God even today. It has been said that if you’re not encountering opposition, you must not be following God. Our flesh would like the easy road, but God loves us too much to leave us that way. We do need times of refreshing, but it is the hard climb and the long slog that strengthen us and teach us to depend on Him. God never allows circumstances that are too much for us if we will turn to Him in them, but if we fail to turn to Him they can be completely overwhelming. The two recent hurricanes in the US are good examples. Given their size, there has been remarkably little loss of life, even though there’s been a lot of property loss. Material things are temporary anyway, and God has used these “natural disasters” to tear down barriers between people and expose others to show us their true character. Those are things to be thankful about! Jesus expressly didn’t pray that His disciples be taken out of the world with all its conflicts, but that they be protected from the devil. (John 17:15) When we encounter difficulties of all sorts we need to pray with Nehemiah, “Lord, strengthen me.”

I almost laughed when I read this morning’s passage, because it is so perfectly analogous to our immediate situation. We do face immense difficulties, but God is more than able to handle them if we will trust Him enough to walk in yielded obedience. Right now the devil is working overtime to discourage those who are central to this plan of God. We need to turn each thing over to God and choose faith, receiving what He has provided. Our flesh would like to receive funds first, but God knows that faith and obedience are more important by far. He has provided the faith if we will accept it, but the obedience is our sacrifice of praise to Him. (Hebrews 13:15) God has told me I’m to be the “faith engine” for this project, but I can’t force anyone to trust God. All I can do is model victorious faith for them and pray for their eyes and hands to be opened to receive it for themselves. God’s plans are good, and they will come to pass.

Father, thank You for this extremely clear Word this morning. I needed it! It seems there are many discouraging voices, though not so many are directed at me. Help me stand in the gap for those who are under such fierce attack, that they may grow from what they are going through and not be destroyed. May the strongholds of the enemy be torn down instead, so that everyone involved in this project may walk in the liberty of Your Spirit, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!