Nehemiah 6:14 “Remember, O my God, Tobiah and Sanballat according to these works of theirs, and also Noadiah the prophetess and the rest of the prophets who were trying to frighten me.”

GOD CAN HANDLE THEM

Wow!  You really need to read all of chapters 5 and 6 of Nehemiah.  Today’s verse is just a snippet (don’t you love that word?) of what Nehemiah was up against.  Tobiah and Sanballat, especially, were out to get him.  They did not want to see the wall rebuilt around Jerusalem.  They were lying about him, threatening him and trying to deceive him.  They even bribed a prophet to give him false messages from God.

You see, it wasn’t about what Nehemiah was doing.  It was about for whom he was doing it.  Nehemiah was focused on pleasing God, and darkness can’t stand that.  As governor of Judah with the backing of Artaxerxes, he could have had them arrested or killed.  But he left them in God’s hands.

TEACHING MOMENT

This a wonderful truth for our children to learn.  Let God handle your enemies.  Your child’s job is to please the Master.  If they are doing that, He will handle their adversaries.  Now, He may not handle them in the way they would, but He will handle them when He is ready.  Remember, they are operating out of darkness.  Our children need to realize that.  What do lost sinners do?  They sin.  We should expect no less.

Perhaps, though, our submission to God may draw them to Him.  You just never know.  When your little Johnny or Susie is facing a bully, remind them to love them.  Why?  Because Jesus does.  Will that bully accept that?  Probably not at first.  Pray with your child about that bully.  Mention them by name in their bedtime prayers.  Let them be the focus of intentional prayer.  But let God handle their consequences.

Father and Righteous Judge, You are more than capable of handling my enemies.  Help me to get out of the way and let You work in their lives like You did in mine.  I was once Your enemy, but you loved me to You.