Rise Up- Nehemiah

Read Nehemiah 4-The work on the city wall is ridiculed by those opposing it.

INSIGHT
It is difficult to do any work when we are strongly opposed. We begin to doubt the validity of the task or our ability to perform it. When we are assailed for doing God´s work, we must evaluate the source of opposition. We cannot assume opposition means that God is against us. While it is of little value to blame the devil for everything that goes wrong, the Bible makes it clear that spiritual opposition is a reality in the work of God. If we suspect spiritual opposition, we must oppose the enemy, remain at the task at hand, and redouble our prayers!

PRAYER
Praise God that He has given us instruction for life in the Bible and through the Holy Spirit: 
"My heart rejoices in the Lord; 
My horn is exalted in the Lord. 
I smile at my enemies, 
Because I rejoice in Your salvation" 
(1 Samuel 2:1).

Pause for additional praise and thanksgiving.

Now pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus. . . God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.
(1Thessalonians 4:1-2, 7-8)

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to mind.

Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
"No one is holy like the Lord, 
For there is none besides You, 
Nor is there any rock like our God. . . . 
He will guard the feet of His saints, 
But the wicked shall be silent in darkness.
For by strength no man shall prevail" 
(1 Samuel 2:2, 9).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Diligence in our work in spite of obstacles
• Wisdom in making decisions
• Your activities for the day

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
By the God of your father who will help you, 
And by the Almighty who will bless you 
With blessings of heaven above, 
Blessings of the deep that lies beneath, 
Blessings of the breasts and of the womb. 
The ble ssings of your father 
Have excelled the blessings of my ancestors, 
Up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills
(Genesis 49:25-26).