SATURDAY June 3, 2017
Fully Committed
…Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together among the villages in the plain of Ono.” But they thought to do me harm. So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” - Nehemiah 6:2-3
Up to now in Nehemiah 6, we have studied about compromise, slander, threats and intrigue. Satan had used these three men, Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem the Arab to target Nehemiah, and to stop God’s work. But Nehemiah was fully committed to the Lord, and from that point, he had entered into a greater spiritual warfare.
Nehemiah was a thinker. He not only had the knowledge of God, but he also had godly discernment. When Nehemiah received the invitation from Sanballat and Geshem, he fought back with what God had called him to do. Nehemiah knew the only reason they wanted to meet with him was to kill him. He knew they were not telling the truth, and saw straight through their deception. Nehemiah was a prayer warrior, and kept in tune with God. Through his prayers the Lord would save him from his enemies’ constant plots to kill him.
It is important to understand that when we are fully committed to the Lord, and His work, this is when we enter into a greater spiritual battle. Often we are not aware of the spiritual warfare surrounding us, but it is a battle that we must face constantly in our lives. Satan has adversaries, people that he will use to try to destroy you. His wants to put an end to the work of God in your life.
Christians who desire to be used of God must be prepared to enter spiritual warfare. They should be knowledgeable of God’s Word, and be in constant prayer. Understand you will need to be in tune with God and use discernment. We often get ourselves into trouble when we have not stopped to hear God’s counsel and we end up getting hurt.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
~Ephesians 6:11~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!
