Introduction

Good morning, beloved family. It is indeed a joy and a privilege to gather together in the house of the Lord. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and we are alive and well, ready to hear what God has to say to us today.

In the sacred pages of the Holy Bible, we find ourselves standing shoulder to shoulder with people of old, people who walked the dusty roads of life, just as we do today. People who faced challenges, who were confronted with deception, and who discovered, just as we must, the purpose that God had for their lives.

Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the book of Nehemiah, chapter 6, verses 1-4. A passage that speaks to us about persevering through challenges, preventing deception and manipulation, and pursuing God's purpose. Let's read together: "When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it—though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates— Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were scheming to harm me; so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?” Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer." (Nehemiah 6:1-4)

In these verses, we see Nehemiah, a man of God, standing firm in the face of adversity, refusing to be swayed from the task that God has set before him.

Persevering through Challenges

The great 19th-century preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, "By perseverance, the snail reached the ark." In the same way, we too must persevere in the face of our challenges, not allowing ourselves to be derailed by the deceptions and manipulations that often come our way. And in all things, we must stay true to the purpose that God has for our lives.

The first thing we notice about Nehemiah's response to his challenges is his unwavering commitment. Despite the opposition he faced, despite the threats and the intimidation, he remained committed to the task at hand. He didn't allow himself to be distracted or deterred. When we face challenges, we must remain committed to our mission. We must stay focused on the task at hand, refusing to be swayed by the distractions and the discouragements that come our way.

The second thing we notice about Nehemiah's response to his challenges is his reliance on God. He didn't try to tackle his problems on his own. He didn't rely on his own strength or his own wisdom. Instead, he turned to God, seeking His guidance and His strength. This reliance on God is another thing that we can emulate in our own lives. When we face challenges, we must turn to God.

Third is his refusal to compromise. He didn't allow himself to be drawn into the schemes of his enemies. He didn't allow himself to be lured away from his mission. Instead, he stood firm, refusing to compromise his principles or his purpose.

The fourth and final thing we notice about Nehemiah's response to his challenges is his determination to succeed. He didn't allow the difficulties he faced to discourage him or to defeat him. Instead, he pressed on, determined to succeed, determined to fulfill the mission that God had entrusted to him.

Preventing Deception and Manipulation

Let's look at Nehemiah's response to Sanballat and Geshem's invitation ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO