Sanballat and Geshem sent me a message: “Come, let’s meet together in the villages of the Ono Valley.” But they were planning to harm me. So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” Nehemiah 6:2-3 HCSB
One of the highlights of my call to ministry through the years was helping Belle Aire Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee relocate their church campus. I helped with the sale of their property, purchasing new property, securing a loan, hiring an architect, enlisting a contractor, designing the building, overseeing the construction, and planning how to physically move from one location to another. It was a great work. Even though there were many obstacles to overcome during the three year process, I enjoyed getting to be a part of what God was doing.
Nehemiah was in the middle of rebuilding the walls around Jerusalem. It was hard work to clear the rubble from when the walls were destroyed, secure new materials, and then organize the people to rebuild the walls. He even had to plan how they could defend themselves in the event of an attack by an enemy. Sanballat and Geshem did not want the walls to be rebuilt and tried to lure Nehemiah to a place about 20 miles northwest of Jerusalem. This would have been at least a one day journey by foot. There was no reason for Nehemiah to travel away from the work he was doing. More than likely the intent of Sanballat and Geshem was to ambush and kill Nehemiah along the way.
Challenge: What are you doing for God’s kingdom work? Be assured that you will face opposition and challenges when you are doing a great work for God. Satan will do everything within his power to complicate matters and create problems for you. Pray for strength and wisdom as you continue the great work God has given to you.