TUESDAY May 29, 2018
The Enemy in the Midst
And our adversaries said, “They will neither know nor see anything, till we come into their midst and kill them and cause the work to cease.” So it was, when the Jews who dwelt near them came, that they told us ten times, “From whatever place you turn, they will be upon us.” - >Nehemiah 4:10-11
This was a situation where Judah––the kingly tribe, and the ones who were the fighters, were down by the wall and gates, digging in the hole day and night. They had difficulty getting all the rubbish out. There was no time off from the work, they grew physically tired and spiritually they had become drained and discouraged.
Meanwhile the enemy had surrounded the city of Jerusalem and placed pressure on the people. The Jewish people were terrorized by their threats, and that was exactly their adversaries’ intent, to place fear in their hearts. Their enemies had become very persistent in their intimidations and threats to attack them and finally they had become very discouraged.
Notice how Satan attacks you––it is usually when you are physically and spiritually weak. When you are discouraged it is never good to make important decisions that you may regret later in life. When you are oppressed, depressed and discouraged you need to wait on the Lord before you make any decisions. Allow God to speak to your heart first so you can encourage yourself in the Lord and then strategize a plan for whatever the situation may be.
David, the future king of Israel, was in great distress, some of his family and those of his men were taken captive by their enemies. His men even spoke of stoning him because they were all grieved and discouraged. When everything seemed to be against David what did he do? …but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God (1 Samuel 30:6).
If you wish to be disappointed look at others; if you wish to be disheartened, look at yourself; if you wish to be encouraged, look to Jesus.
~Anon~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!
