“The God of heaven is the one!”
What do you do when the enemy’s voice is loud and relentless?
The surprising answer for many to the above question is, “I don’t know, exactly.”
How do we even know what the enemy’s voice sounds like?
The enemy’s voice will sound like this:
- An accusing voice that charges us with all types of grievances and injustices mixed with half-truths.
- A condemning voice that runs us down and says things that oppose our identity in Christ and calling.
- A doubting voice that causes us to become unsure about our call, our position in Christ, or who God is.
- An enticing voice that draws us to pull away from anything God has pointed us toward.
Nehemiah had several interfaces with the enemy, and while Nehemiah’s main go-to was prayer, we also see him stand up to the enemy.
But when Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab heard of our plan, they scoffed contemptuously. “What are you doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” they asked. I replied, “The God of heaven will help us succeed. We, his servants, will start rebuilding this wall. But you have no share, legal right, or historic claim in Jerusalem.” (Nehemiah 2:19-20, NLT)
Nehemiah’s response was as easy as one, two, three. When we recognize the enemy’s accusing, condemning, doubting, and enticing voice, we need to stand up and stand firm.
Standing Up To The Enemy
- Know Who is in charge. “The God of heaven is the One who will grant us success” (Nehemiah 2:20, BSB). Our first response to the enemy’s voice is remembering the all-powerful God we follow. We state out loud, reinforcing to ourselves the truth of who God is and, in Jesus’ name, telling the enemy the authority to Whom we answer. In addition, we can state out loud the truth that God will grant us triumph in the task He has entrusted us with.
- Know your place. “We, his servants, will start rebuilding this wall” (Nehemiah 2:20, NLT). The enemy is clever in the ways he makes us forget who we are in Christ and the rightful place we have in His kingdom as His children, heirs, and more than conquerors with resurrection power. We need to remind ourselves regularly who we are in Christ.
- Know who is NOT in charge. “But you have no share or legal right” Nehemiah 2:20, NLT). The enemy does not get to tell us who we are or what the outcome will be. We have a responsibility to learn to recognize and choose whose voice to whom we will listen.
Once we have established who is in charge, remembered who we are, and who is not in charge, then we need to do the work of standing our ground and holding strong.
Standing Firm Against The Enemy
- Stand firm by continuing to do the work. Nehemiah chapter 3 is about what happened after Nehemiah stood up to the enemy. He led the Jewish people to follow through with obedience by continuing to work on the wall. When we walk in obedience, we are the closest to God.
- Stand firm by being in community with others. Nehemiah chapter 3 is a beautiful picture of working together for the same purpose. We are stronger when we have a community of people to stand alongside. “You are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27, NRSV).
- Stand firm by maintaining a great attitude. Attitude matters and will impact our ability to persevere or be easily distracted by the enemy’s tactics to throw us off course. We want to be like those who worked zealously on the wall. (Nehemiah 3:20-21) “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23, NIV).
Standing up and standing firm is critical in our ability to “nail it” in this life. We have an enemy, and if we are not careful, we will allow his voice to drown out the voice of God and the power we have as God’s children. “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14, NLT).
I pray your ability to hear the voice of God will sharpen, that you will remember who you are and be empowered to stand up and stand firm against the enemy and all his schemes. May you find unspeakable joy as you walk in obedience to all God has called you to. In Jesus’ name, so be it.
Meditate: God is the One.
Reflect: Where in your life do you see the enemy’s voice at work pulling you away from who you are and what God has called you to do? Out of the above list of how to “stand up” to the enemy, which one do you need to work on more? What can you do to grow in this area? Out of the above list of how to “stand firm” to the enemy schemes, which one do you need to work on more? What can you do to grow in this area?
Deeper: (As you read through these additional verses, ask the Spirit to give you wisdom, and teach you more about standing up and standing firm against the enemy.) Nehemiah 2:19-20, chapter 3; Psalm 121; Ephesians 6:11; 1 Corinthians 15:58
For further encouragement, listen to the PODCAST on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, Google, IHeartRadio, and Podbean. Search God’s Word Gives Hope. LISTEN NOW
Join the Thrive Community with Janae and receive weekly resources, a monthly coaching video, and more designed to help you flourish personally and professionally. – Subscribe here
JSC Life & Leadership Coaching – I believe God has created each of us to thrive. Where are you not thriving? Work? Home? Life? Let me coach you. Contact me to schedule a consultation, and let’s get you moving forward. Contact Janae
Did you know you can follow God’s Word Gives Hope on Facebook and Instagram and be encouraged throughout the week?
(Bible References: NLT – New Living Translation, BSB – Berean Standard Bible, NRSV – New Revised Standard Version, NIV – New International Version)
#GodsWordGivesHope
#Hope #Bible #christianity
#NailedIt #Nehemiah
#christianitytoday
#JSCLifeandLeadershipCoaching
