But it so happened, when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious and very indignant, and mocked the Jews. And he spoke before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Will they revive the stones from the heaps of rubbish—stones that are burned?” Nehemiah 4:1-2 NKJV
One thing I have learned in all the years that I have been serving the Lord and teaching and preaching the Word of God is that there is always opposition and spiritual warfare that stands against you when you are doing the work of the Lord. I believe Sanballat in this story is a type of Satan that the enemy was using to prevent the Jews from rebuilding and restoring Jerusalem, in response to the Lord’s command. He used fear, intimidation, lies, distractions, hindrances, etc. to keep the project from going forward.
I have found in my own experience that the enemy often uses people, circumstances, un-for-seen delays, hindrances, intimidation, etc. Often, I would know when I had done something to make the enemy angry because he would use a particular relative to attack me over nothing. It would be totally unexpected and I know that person did not know they were being used by the enemy. Sometimes it would be other people. The last time I spoke (last weekend), our dog and a friend’s dog got in a terrible fight the day before and I was home alone. I spent several minutes trying to get them apart, using the broom. I tried to use the water hose, but couldn’t get it to work. I prayed God help me! A minute or so later, my husband pulled in the yard and was able to help break it up. Both dogs had a lot of blood on them. They were both okay, it was very upsetting to me and my friend (who owned the other dog). But, I moved ahead and shared what the Lord had given me to share and had a great response.
Ephesians, chapter 6 says:
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:12-13 NKJV
The Apostle Paul is reminding us that flesh and blood (people) are not the real enemy. It is Satan and his cohorts working through people and he often uses those who are close to us, who can hurt us the most. The enemy knows our weaknesses and tries to exploit them. At other times, I feel a demonic presence (oppression) and have to pray through and rebuke the enemy and also bind him and his cohorts from operating through those around us. I have found that praying specifically against the type of spirit that I perceive is operating, like hindering spirits, spirits of strife and division, anger, etc. brings release.
The Apostle Paul also reminds us in verse 13 that we need to be clothed in God’s armor so that we will be able to withstand the enemy’s attacks.
Verses 14-15 says:
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:14-17 NKJV
How do we clothe ourselves in God’s armor? Spend time reading God’s word and putting it into your heart. Spend time in worship. Pray and ask the Lord to clothe you in His armor, to hide you under the shadow of His wings and in the shelter of His presence (Psalm 91). I have found that the attacks of the enemy don’t bother me near as much when I have done this and I have the shield of faith in place to quench the firey darts of the enemy.
Also, as verse 17 says, the word of God is the sword of the Spirit. There is power in speaking the word of God out loud, like Isaiah 54:17 that says:
No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord. Isaiah 54:17 NKJV
I believe we are in a new season where God is calling us to come up higher, overcome weaknesses, familiar spirits, etc. that the enemy has used to trip us up time and time again and move on into what the Lord has called us to do with our lives on a greater level. God bless you all.
In Christ ~Kelly Evans Rowe
A Deeper Walk 