Saturday, August 13, 2016

Saturday, August 13, 2016

By Keesha Sullivan 

Have you ever analyzed Satan's strategy? Have you ever thought about the most deadly weapon that he uses against humankind? Many times I believe he uses one, single tool to hamper or impede people from attaining God's perfect plan for their lives. This mechanism has been used since the beginning of time. In fact, it was used in the scriptures that we read today:  "They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, 'Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.' But I prayed, 'Now strengthen my hands.'" (Nehemiah 6:9). Nehemiah clearly saw Satan's strategy. Satan tried to use "fear" against him and the Israelites to stop them from completing the task that God had for them. Satan knew that if he could get Nehemiah and the Israelites to quit the project that God had given them, of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, that they would be in a state of disobedience and they would not fulfill God's perfect plan for their lives.

Nehemiah not only identified Satan's tool, but he knew how to combat it as well. It says in Nehemiah 6:9, "But I prayed, 'Now strengthen my hands.'" Nehemiah took his fear and intimidation to the Lord in prayer. He knew that he could not face the evil one on his own, but that He needed his Heavenly Father. When he called on the Lord, the Lord came to the rescue. He gave Nehemiah and the Israelites boldness in place of fear and hope in place of despair. The Lord helped them complete the wall. 

In fact it says in the scripture, "When all our enemies heard about this [the wall being completed], all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God" (Nehemiah 6:15-16). If Nehemiah and the Israelites had allowed "fear", Satan's favorite tool against humanity, to stop the work, they would've been the ones that stayed in a constant state of fear. 

When we feel fear trying to thwart us from completing God-ordained plans for our lives, we too need to rise up in prayer and cry out to God for strength. We, too, need to remember that our Heavenly Father has the power to overcome all the schemes of the enemy. There is nothing too difficult for Him. 

Lord, please help us to go to you when we are feeling timid. Help us to remember that timidity comes from Satan. "For [You] have not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7). We pray that You would give us renewed minds that immediately cry out to you when we feel fear. Help us to fulfill the God-given purposes and plans for our lives. Forgive us for the many times we've let fear get the best of us. From this day forward, it is our desire to complete all You have for us. We love You. In Jesus's name. Amen