“Rulers persecute me without cause,
but my heart trembles at your word.”
Psalm 119:161 NIV

If we are to live a life of purpose, we will experience spiritual warfare.

“Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, ‘If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.”
Nehemiah 2:16 NIV

The Jews were captured and carried off into captivity by Babylon. Babylon was conquered by Persia. The Persian government allowed the Jews to work and build a life. Nehemiah, a Jew, was the cupbearer. A position of great influence with the king of Persia. However, God is calling Nehemiah into purpose. Purpose will cause us to leave our comfort zone. Purpose is for God’s glory. Purpose is for the benefit of others. Our purpose is to make the world better. Nehemiah left his position to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall around the city.

“I rejoice in your promise
like one who finds great spoil.”
Psalm 119:162 NIV

“The Lord took the man and put him into the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”
Genesis 2:15 NIV

Can you imagine what our world would be if we are all aligned to purpose?

“I hate and detest falsehood
but I love your law.”
Psalm 119:163 NIV

“But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. ‘What is this you are doing?’ they asked. ‘Are you rebelling against the king?'”
Nehemiah 2:19 NIV

Babylon had completely destroyed Judah. The Jews were in exile about seventy years (time varies according to sources). However, God is calling the Jews back home. Some of the Jewish people have left Persia and returned to Jerusalem. Nehemiah has returned to help the Jews rebuild the wall around the city. Sanballat and Tobiah are enemies of the Jewish people. They are ridiculing Nehemiah and the Jews as they come together to rebuild the wall. They are spreading lies about what the Jews are doing. Once that doesn’t work, they even try to hurt/kill Nehemiah. We accept that Tobiah and Sanballat are a part of the story.

“Seven times a day I praise you
for your righteous laws.”
Psalm 119:164 NIV

“So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.
But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. They plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.
Nehemiah 4:6-9 NIV

“Great peace have those who love your law,
and nothing can make them stumble.”
Psalm 119:165 NIV

What did Nehemiah do every time the enemy attacked him? He prayed and sought God’s direction. Nothing can stand against the will of God. God gives us peace in trouble (because it will come) and we stick to purpose.

“So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days.”
Nehemiah 6:15 NIV

“I wait for your salvation, Lord,
and I follow your commands.
I obey your statutes,
for I love them greatly.
I obey your precepts and your statutes,
for all my ways are known to you.”
Psalm 119:166-168 NIV

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18 NIV

Nehemiah prayed his way through it and he stayed on task. We trust God and we do what is right. God has equipped us for this journey and we should pray our way through. But, no matter what, we stay on task.

“When you believed, you were marked with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession- to the praise of his glory.”
Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV

God gives us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit keeps us on track. The Holy Spirit is our greatest defender and protector. Nothing can stand against the Will of God.