MINDSET
OBSERVATION: NEHEMIAH WAS A HIGH OFFICIAL UNDER THE RULE OF KING ARTAXERXES 1 IN THE CAPITAL CITY OF SUSA, NOW MODERN IRAN. THIS KING ALLOWED HIM TO RETURN TO HIS HOMELAND AND REPAIR THE BROKEN DOWN WALLS SURROUNDING JERUSALEM. HE ENCOUNTERED OPPOSITION BY PAGAN TRIBES IN HIS ENDEAVORS.
INTERPRETATION: NEHEMIAH 4:6 (NKJV) SO WE BUILT THE WALL, AND THE ENTIRE WALL WAS JOINED TOGETHER UP TO HALF OF ITS HEIGHT, FOR THE PEOPLE HAD A MIND TO WORK.
POINTS TO PONDER:
BROKEN DOWN WALLS REQUIRES REPAIRING: THEY DO NOT REPAIR THEMSELVES. THE RESTORATION REQUIRES MONEY, CAREFUL PLANNING AND MANUAL LABOR.
SATAN’S INFLUENCE CREATES BROKEN DOWN WALLS. HIS INTENT IS TO DESTROY LIVES AND HOLD PEOPLE IN BONDAGE.
ANY ATTEMPT TO FOLLOW GOD’S DESIRES USUALLY DRAW’S SATAN’S ATTENTION. HIS DESIRES IS TO HOLD BELIEVERS IN BONDAGE. HE ADMIRES BROKEN DOWN WALLS IN CHRISTIANS. THE BUILDERS DREW OPPOSITION FROM GOD’S ENEMIES. THROUGH TERRORIST ATTACKS ON THE CITY.
THE ENEMY USED RIDICULE AND ARMED ATTACKS TO OPPOSE THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE WALLS. NEHEMIAH RESPONDED THROUGH
PRAYER AND STRENGTHENED THEIR DEFENSES (NEHEMIAH 4: 1-8).
APPLICATION: MINDSET IS CRITICAL FOR A BELIEVER WHEN OPPOSITION ARISES. PRAYER AND MEDITATION IN THE WORD OF GOD IS YOUR BEST RESPONSE.
