ROOTED RENEGADE

Nehemiah 6:1-4

Now it happened when Sanballat, Tobiah, [a]Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall, and that there were no breaks left in it (though at that time I had not hung the doors in the gates), 2 that Sanballat and [b]Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together [c]among the villages in the plain of Ono.” But they thought to do me harm.

3 So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?”

4 But they sent me this message four times, and I answered them in the same manner.

Manipulation is such a powerful tool used by the enemy. Unfortunately it works so well because many lack true discernment. You see manipulation is not linear. There are many layers to it and how it is used against us.

For Nehemiah we read in 6:1-4 that Sanballat was using it as a means of coercion to get him to stop the work God called him to. He was trying to make it seem like he wanted a friendly meeting with Nehemiah. But it wasn’t working because Nehemiah had discernemnt and saw the coercion for what it was.

Nehemiah knew not only was Sanballat trying to stop the work, he had intentions to harm Nehemiah as well. Manipulation can turn violent as it escalates. Though Sanballat never disclosed such intentions, and continued to persuade Nehemiah through letters, it was apparent to Nehemiah.

He understood what many forget in times of great opposition from the giants in the land: God’s work is important and requires out attention and diligence despite what others may say or do. If we start, stop, and start, stop again, we are not being diligent to complete the work.

And this is so convicting! How many times have you started something only to not complete it?! I know I have plenty of times. Far too often we stop doing the work because of resources and opposition, but God promises to provide all we need. So why do we lack trust?

I believe we lack trust because we have grown up in a culture that tells us you need money for everything before you start something. You need all the money up front for a business in order to get off the ground. You need employees who can manage, hire, market, etc. The list goes on.

But…you really don’t need all you think you do. God often provides when we take the leap of faith and put our trust in Him. Would we ever know how to be dependent on God if He just gave handouts all the time? I seriously doubt it.

The waiting and the pressing increases our faith and trust. Nehemiah didn’t head to Jerusalem with every need met up front.

He had to trust that God would provide along the way. And he believed that God would even in the face of his giants.

So how can we trust like this and keep builidng?

1. Pause and take an honest assessment of where we are. What are we lacking (or think we are)? 
2. Sit with Holy Spirit and lay it all out in the open. Every need, doubt, desire…all of it.
3. Be willing to surrender our way of doing things.
4. Deal with the opposition by asking Holy Spirit for discernment.
5. Use discernment with wisdom.
6. Ask God for the strength to get through the difficulties.
7. Make a list of every time God has come through for you – praise and gratitude.

Of course, you can come up with your own ways. This is just a starter list if you will. 

The more we step out in faith, the greater our trust for what God can do builds. Faith is active not passivity. And our Christian walk will always have a stumbling block or giant to face.

But when you know the One who knows you better and knows what you are capable of, then you know you are in the best hands there are to be in.

Be encouraged. God won’t let you fail. You will make mistakes but use those as lessons to keep you going forward. 

And have great courage…the Lord fights for you!

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