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TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat. Nehemiah 4:8-9

Read: Nehemiah 4:7-9
Listen: Nehemiah 4

TODAY’S MESSAGE

There is a real threat to the progress to rebuild the Jerusalem wall. Sanballat, a local warlord, ridicules and shames the Jews thinking they will quit. But Nehemiah prays for help, and they continue building the wall to half its height. Now Sanballat and his associates are furious and plot an attack on the walls. Sanballat from the north. Tobias and Arabs from the south. Ammonites from the east and Ashdod from the West. Enemies surround the rebuilding project. If they succeed, the rebuild will end.

When the Jews hear of the planned attack, Nehemiah models for us what to do. First, he goes to God in prayer and then takes responsible action.  After praying, he posts a guard on the walls to protect the builders. We can do the same thing when we experience forces attempting to disrupt our rebuilding. We can first pray, then sign up for Financial Peace University to get our budget in line. Pray, then call for a doctor’s appointment when we’re facing infertility. Pray, then update our resume even though we were let go from our job. When under attack pray for guidance and help, then take action.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

You may be facing an attack in a current rebuild. First, pray and ask God for his help and guidance. Then take the next step. Share your situation and what action you believe you should take with a trusted friend, mentor or small group leader. Ask them to hold you accountable and support you in prayer.

2023 SPIRITUAL PRACTICES

Join us all of 2023 developing a different spiritual practice each month. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES are intentional regular activities to deepen our relationship with God and mold us to be more like Jesus.

November is BIBLE MEDITATION. Keep track of our spiritual practices at beyondtheweekend.org/spiritualpractices.

Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.