Author Darlene J. Conard

As I lay in bed, feeling utterly exhausted, the words “Jesus, I’m so tired” escaped my lips. At that moment, a response echoed in my spirit, urging me to press on and assuring me that this weariness was only temporary. Despite witnessing miraculous movements of God in the past, it’s natural for us to grow weary at times because, after all, we are only human.

The Lord has been guiding my attention to the book of Nehemiah, specifically chapter 4. In this chapter, Nehemiah and the workers faced persistent harassment from their enemies who opposed their efforts.

Nehemiah faced Mockery and Ridicule. He encountered opposition from Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, who mocked the Jews and doubted their ability to rebuild the wall (Nehemiah 2:19; 4:1-3). Have you ever experienced mockery, a laughing stock, because you believe God to do what He says He will do? Isaiah 54:17 says, “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.” KJV

His enemies plotted to attack Jerusalem to disrupt the construction process. Nehemiah organized guards and armed the workers in response to protect the city. (Nehemiah 4:7-9) I assure you that you will not get by without a spiritual battle. But God promises to have our backs!

Intimidation and false accusations? Oh yes, I’ve had my share of those as well. Nehemiah’s adversaries attempted to intimidate him with false accusations and threats, including a plot to assassinate him. (Nehemiah 6:5-9)

Fatigue and Discouragement: The laborers grew weary and disheartened due to the heavy workload and constant threat of attack. Nehemiah rallied them, encouraging them to remain focused and reminding them of the significance of their work. (Nehemiah 4:10-14) Remember Zechariah 4:6, … “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.”

Economic hardships resulted from a famine, leading to widespread debt and poverty. Nehemiah addressed this by implementing economic reforms and urging the wealthy to stop exploiting the poor. (Nehemiah 5:1-13). Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. KJV

The community was engulfed in fear and anxiety due to the ongoing threats. However, Nehemiah’s unwavering leadership and strong faith reassured the people, keeping them motivated despite the challenging circumstances. (Nehemiah 4:14-23).

To complete the rebuilding of all wall sections, it was essential to carefully coordinate the work and ensure that resources were managed effectively. This required detailed planning and strategic resource allocation, emphasizing the importance of efficient resource management as described in Nehemiah 3.

Night Inspections: Nehemiah conducted clandestine night inspections to assess the damage and plan the reconstruction without attracting attention from enemies. (Nehemiah 2:11-16)

“Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.” Proverbs 16:3 KJV

We are facing all these, but don’t lose heart! Remember, God is there and nearer than we realize!

Be encouraged and know that He is doing something miraculous in your life. Keep praying, and keep pursuing God!

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