READ Nehemiah 6
The work on the wall is completed.

INSIGHT
Nehemiah resists the efforts of the adversaries to discourage him or distract him from working on the wall. He is convinced that he is doing the right thing, and he steadfastly resists the interference. The Old Testament often has a literal illustration of a spiritual truth that is explained in the New Testament. In Ephesians 6:11, we read that we are to “put on the whole armor of God: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit.” Once these are in place, we “resist”—”stand firm!”

PRAYER
Praise God for victory in spiritual warfare as we use His armor:
Come, let’s shout joyfully to the Lord,
Shout triumphantly to the rock of our salvation!  
Let’s enter his presence with thanksgiving;
Let’s shout triumphantly to him in song.  
For the Lord is a great God,
A great King above all gods.  
Come, let’s worship and bow down;
Let’s kneel before the Lord our Maker.  
For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture,
The sheep under his care (Psalm 95:1-3, 6-7).

Pause for praise and thanksgiving. As you seek to keep your life free from sin, pray this confession to the Lord:
We all went astray like sheep;  
We all have turned to our own way;
And the Lord has punished him
For the iniquity of us all
(Isaiah 53:6).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Everyone the Father gives me will come to me,
And the one who comes to me I will never cast out
(John 6:37).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Greater faithfulness with your time
• The president and world affairs
• Your activities for the day
• Whatever else is on your heart

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
The Lord will protect you from all harm;
He will protect your life.  
The Lord will protect your coming and going
Both now and forever (Psalm 121:7-8).