"So We Prayed" 5-8-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Saturate my soul with Your Spirit. ... "But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Amorites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and the gaps were beginning to be closed, they were very angry, and all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. So we prayed to our God, and set a guard as protection against them day and night" (Nehemiah 4:7-9). Confusion is a demonic strategy. When the enemy of our souls see us going about the business of the kingdom, obeying the commands of the King, building up the broken and strengthening the walls of our resolved to be faithful to the One who is worthy of our obedience and trust, he fears. And out of his fear, he seeks to frustrate. And out of frustration, he seeks to bring confusion. He tempts us to listen to his voice and question Yours -- "Did God really say that? Did He really call you to that? Did He really promise you He would be with you no matter what and lead you through no matter how hard it would be or how long it would take?" (see Genesis 3:1). Deception, doubt, frustration, confusion -- these are the weapons of his warfare. But You have given us "the weapons of our warfare" and have empowered us to "wage war" with "divine power," to "destroy arguments" and "take every thought captive to obey Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). As in the days of Nehemiah, this is our divine strategy -- "So we prayed to our God." Not "so I prayed," but "so we prayed." There is a power in corporate prayer, coming together to seek Your face, listen for Your voice, testing the spirits and testing our hearts, and remembering the words You have spoken and promises You have made. This is how we "set a guard as protection" against the strategy of confusion. This is how Your perfect love casts out fear and clears up confusion. As we take our place with one another "behind the wall" of prayer we are encouraged and empowered by Your assurance, "Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your kin, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes" (Nehemiah 4:13-14). Then by the power of Your grace, the enemy's plan will be "frustrated" and we will faithfully return to our calling, "each to his work" (v. 4:15). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org