“Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage and mocked the Jews, saying in front of his friends and the Samarian army officers, “What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they’re doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a single day by just offering a few sacrifices? Do they actually think they can make something of stones from a rubbish heap—and charred ones at that?” Tobiah the Ammonite, who was standing beside him, remarked, “That stone wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it!” Then I prayed, “Hear us, our God, for we are being mocked. May their scoffing fall back on their own heads, and may they themselves become captives in a foreign land! Do not ignore their guilt. Do not blot out their sins, for they have provoked you to anger here in front of the builders.””
Nehemiah 4:1-5 NLT
In our opening scripture we see that Nehemiah was trying to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. Sanballat, along with a couple of his fellow provocateurs, set out to discourage the builders of the wall. They did this by belittling their work, belittling their cause, and belittling the workers themselves. The tactic they used might now be referenced as “trash talk.” It’s what competitors do in order to frustrate or demoralize their opponents.
Understand, the devil is not known as the accuser of the brethren for nought. In fact, he is the master of accusation and demoralization. As we see in the Book of Revelation, he accuses nonstop, day and night.
“Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last— salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth— the one who accuses them before our God day and night.”
Revelation 12:10 NLT
Satan uses words to divide and conquer. He uses words as stumbling blocks. Indeed, he uses words as weapons. However, as children of God, we must come to realize that the only One’s opinion that matters, is the opinion of our Lord. If God has spoken something concerning us, if He has given us a mission to do, that is enough.
Of course, we should make sure that we are walking according to God’s will and purpose by carefully following His precious Holy Spirit, given to guide us in all our ways.
As well, we should not confuse godly counsel with words meant to discourage.
But—make no mistake—if you are trying (through the Grace of God and the direction of His Spirit) to do the will of God as He has revealed to you, then you should expect that there will be those who will speak against you. It’s what their father does. And it’s meant to stop you. Don’t let it!
A word of warning: Leave vengeance and exoneration to the Lord. Getting on the level of your accusers or detractors only diverts you from doing what God has called you to do.
Let’s ask the Lord to forgive us for giving ear to, and becoming discouraged by, satanic accusation, no matter from what mouth it is coming.
Going forward, let’s determine that ONLY what God has said will be the determining factor of our personal peace and the governor of what we do.
Let’s end with a scripture we considered earlier with what comes just after it:
“Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last— salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth— the one who accuses them before our God day and night. And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens! And you who live in the heavens, rejoice! But terror will come on the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you in great anger, knowing that he has little time.””
Revelation 12:10-12 NLT
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
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