In our Nehemiah 6 daily devotional, we witness Nehemiah’s unwavering focus as he faces persistent opposition from his enemies. Rather than being derailed by distractions, false accusations, or fear, Nehemiah remains committed to the work God has called him to complete. This chapter offers valuable lessons for those dealing with adversaries in their own lives. How do you handle opposition? Are you easily swayed or fearful in the face of conflict? Nehemiah’s response, rooted in prayer, discernment, and steadfast faith, serves as a powerful example. As you reflect on this chapter, may you be inspired to stay focused on God’s work, trusting Him to provide strength and discernment in every challenge. To learn how to deal with danger from within, read the daily devotional on Nehemiah 5.
Nehemiah 6 Commentary by Allen J. Huth
In Nehemiah 6, Nehemiah faces more enemies, but he refrains from becoming distracted. Does opposition distract you? Do you need some help dealing with enemies? Please read or listen to Nehemiah 6.
In 1991, I was reading chunks of Nehemiah at the same time. On this day, I read Nehemiah 6-8. I wrote mostly about chapter 8 and nothing about chapter 6, so we will pick up chapter 8 in a later devotion.
How Should You Deal with Your Enemies?
In 2002, I have two entries on Nehemiah 6 as I was reading a book a month. The first entry is dealing with enemies:
1) Don’t stop for them
2) Don’t meet with them
3) Don’t accept their false accusations
4) Pray for strength
5) Test the message of the enemy
6) Pray against them
7) Keep working
8) Complete God’s work
The second time I read Nehemiah 6 in the same month that year, I wrote, “Nehemiah was in touch with God. He understood the enemy’s tactics of diversion, deception, false accusation. He fought back with focus, prayer, and godly wisdom. He also gave God the glory. Everyone knew it was a work of God. Praise God for Nehemiah’s character. Help me, Lord, with focus, prayer, and wisdom, and to give You the praise.”
What Is the Moral Lesson of Nehemiah?
In 2012, I wrote, “Don’t get distracted. Nehemiah was doing a great work in the Lord. Enemies of that work tried to distract him. He would not be deterred. What a lesson.” Next, “False accusations and lies are spread about Nehemiah. Sounds like modern-day politics. Distractions and false accusations, lies, come our way to frighten us and cause us to stop what we’re doing for God. Nehemiah prayed, ‘O God, strengthen my hands’ (v. 9). Next comes a false prophet to deter Nehemiah, one of his own people. God give me the gift of discernment.” Then I quoted verse 15, “‘So the wall was finished’. God gets the glory.”
What does Nehemiah 6:3 Mean?
The more we read Nehemiah, the more we love Nehemiah. I know that is the case for me. Look at verse 3, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” Nehemiah stayed focused on what God wanted him to do.
What Is the Meaning of Nehemiah 6:9?
False rumors are spread about Nehemiah. Nehemiah response to the rumors, “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind” (v. 8). Then, as Nehemiah often does, he prays, “O God, strengthen my hands” (v. 9).
What did Shemaiah Do to Nehemiah?
Next, Nehemiah faces a false prophet from within his own ranks who tells him, “They are coming to kill you, Nehemiah, so you need to go hide out in the temple!” I love Nehemiah’s response, “But I said, ‘Should such a man as I run away?’” (v. 11). And God gives Nehemiah discernment, “And I understood and saw that God had not sent him” (v. 12).
What Nehemiah Verse Says 52 Days?
People in and around him wanted to make Nehemiah afraid, according to verse 14. But we remember, in verse 9, he already had prayed, “O God, strengthen my hands.” Because of persistent leadership from Nehemiah, “So the wall was finished . . . in fifty-two days” (v. 15)! According to verse 16, “And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.”
Nehemiah gives God the glory for finishing the wall and accomplishing the work. Let’s close by going back to my journal entry in 2002, where I listed how to deal with an enemy:
1) Don’t stop for them
2) Don’t meet with them
3) Don’t accept their false accusations
4) Pray for strength
5) Test the message of the enemy
6) Pray against them
7) Keep working
8) Complete God’s work
Prayer
Father, like Nehemiah, we also have enemies. We have people around us who want to make us afraid. We have people around us who lie to us. Like Nehemiah, Lord, strengthen our hands. Also, give us discernment to be able to tell the truth from the lie.
Lord, give us the fortitude to finish the work as Nehemiah completed the wall. Lord, may we understand anything we do, any accomplishment we succeed in, is only with the help of You, our God. May we remember to give You the glory when our walls are finished. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
