A while back, I posted about Nehemiah's response to requests to come to a meeting, the only purpose of which was to delay and discourage the important work of God that he was doing. Nehemiah refused and rightly said, why should the work here stop while I go to meet with you.
As a result of his determination, and dedication to God and leadership to encourage the rest of God's people to be determined and dedicated to God, eventually the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt! They succeeded in what they were purposed to do. Despite ridicule, harassment, legal entanglements, and having to work with one hand on a weapon and one on a building tool.
When they learned the walls were completed, the tables turned. Nehemiah 6:15-16 shows us the enemy was discouraged when they saw the work was completed despite their attempts to stop it, and not just because it was complete, or that the Jews had done it, but because they "perceived that this work was wrought of God"
So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days. And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God
Even after this was completed though they still attempted to discourage, with an series of letters exchanged between the nobles in Judah, and Tobiah. Tobiah's letters were sent to Nehemiah to cause him to fear. You see, even after we have had a success and the enemy is discouraged, they will still try to use fear to stop us from following God, because there are more tasks to be done. We don't just have one task or job to do for God but we have tasks all throughout our lives. Don't rest after you finish some big or small task for the Lord. Keep on to the next one. Satan wants to stop us from succeeding in all our tasks, but if he fails and we succeed in one, he wishes to discourage us from starting or finishing our next task. This is a pattern he will use our whole lives. If we can learn and be wise, and lean on God daily, we can be successful. The enemy's main tool is fear.
Remember, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7.
Keep your wits about you and remember "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world" 1 John 4:4
