Introduction:
People of God, hear me clearly today! We are living in a time where the enemy is doing everything in his power to frustrate the plans of God’s people. But I stand here to declare, with urgency, that we have come too far to turn back now! The Spirit of the Lord is calling us higher. The Spirit of the Lord is calling us deeper. But I need you to understand something – the moment you set your hands to do the work of God, the moment you put your heart into His purpose, opposition WILL come. But I declare in this house today, that we are not of those who shrink back. We are not of those who retreat. No, we will move forward, because our God is with us!
1. The Reality of Opposition (Nehemiah 4:1-3)
Look at this, people of God! In Nehemiah 4, we see that the moment Nehemiah and the people of God began to rebuild, their enemies—Sanballat and his crew—rose up in fierce opposition. They mocked them, saying, ‘What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they finish in a day?’
And don’t you know that’s how the enemy speaks over you today? He sees you working on your marriage, working on your ministry, trying to walk in the promises of God, and he mocks you. He says, ‘Who do they think they are? Do they really believe God will come through for them?’ But let me tell you something—this is not the time to bow down to the enemy’s lies. This is not the time to let his ridicule cause you to shrink back. You’ve come too far to let the voices of doubt stop you!
The Bible says in 2 Timothy 3:12, ‘Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.’ So, we must expect opposition! We must anticipate the attack. But I declare to you right now, no matter what the enemy says, no matter how he comes at you, YOU will complete the work. The work of your hands will prosper. The purpose of God over your life will prevail!
2. Responding with Prayer and Action (Nehemiah 4:4-6)
How did Nehemiah respond to the mockery, to the threat? Did he cry? Did he complain? Did he quit? No, he PRAYED! He called on the name of the Lord and handed his enemies over to God. He didn’t get distracted by their words. He didn’t engage in their nonsense. He stayed focused on the work, and he called on the God who is able to deliver!
Listen to me, church! When the enemy comes against you, don’t engage in meaningless battles. Don’t let the enemy pull you into distractions. Your first response should be to call on the God of heaven. I feel this in my spirit! Some of you are in a battle right now, and the only thing you need to do is PRAY. Stop trying to fight it in your own strength. Stop trying to reason with the enemy. Just lift up your voice and say, ‘God, fight for me!’
And what happened when Nehemiah prayed? The Bible says, ‘The people worked with all their heart.’ The enemy’s threats couldn’t stop them! The workers kept building! They kept pressing forward!
Somebody here needs to hear this—keep working! Keep pressing! God’s hand is upon your life. You can’t afford to turn back now!
3. Overcoming Internal Doubts and Fears (Nehemiah 4:10-12)
But let me tell you something. Sometimes, the greatest threat doesn’t come from the outside—it comes from within. The Bible says that the people of Judah began to say, ‘The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.’
Did you hear that? The very people who were working on the wall began to doubt. They were tired. They were discouraged. And they started to say, ‘We can’t do this.’
Is there anyone here today who’s been wrestling with internal doubt? You’ve been saying, ‘I can’t do this anymore.’ You’ve been looking at the rubble around you—the broken pieces of your life—and you’re saying, ‘It’s too much! I can’t make it!’
But the Spirit of the Lord is speaking to you right now! You’ve come too far to turn back! The same God who brought you through the wilderness will bring you into the Promised Land. The same God who helped you lay the foundation will help you complete the work. You must push past your fear! You must push past your doubt!
Philippians 1:6 says, ‘He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.’ God is not finished with you yet! Don’t stop now!
4. Reminding Ourselves of God’s Purpose (Nehemiah 4:13-14)
And so what does Nehemiah do? He places the people in strategic positions on the wall. He arms them with weapons and prepares them to fight!
Some of you need to arm yourselves today. You need to position yourself to fight. This battle is not for the faint of heart, but God has equipped you for it! Nehemiah stood before the people and said, ‘Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.’
I don’t know what you’re fighting for today. But whatever it is, you need to remember the Lord! Remember His power! Remember His promises!
You’ve come too far to turn back now! Your family depends on this! Your community depends on this! The souls you are called to reach depend on this! God’s plan for your life is too great for you to give up. So, arm yourself with the Word of God, arm yourself with prayer, and fight!
Conclusion:
Hear me, church! The Lord has brought you too far for you to quit now! He has not brought you this far to leave you. The same God who gave Nehemiah the strength to rebuild the wall is giving you the strength to overcome your battle. This is not the time to shrink back. This is not the time to retreat. You’ve come too far to turn back now!
Rise up! Take your place on the wall! Keep building! Keep fighting! God is with you, and you WILL see victory on the other side!
Closing Prayer:
Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank You for the strength to keep moving forward. We thank You for Your Word, which reminds us that You will complete what You started in us. Strengthen Your people today. Empower them to stand firm in the face of opposition. We declare that we will not turn back, for You are with us, and victory is ours in Jesus’ name. Amen!
