READ Nehemiah 4
The work on the city wall is ridiculed by those opposing it.

INSIGHT
It is difficult to do any work when we are strongly opposed. We begin to doubt the validity of the task or our ability to perform it. When we are assailed for doing God´s work, we must evaluate the source of opposition. We cannot assume opposition means that God is against us. While it is of little value to blame the devil for everything that goes wrong, the Bible makes it clear that spiritual opposition is a reality in the work of God. If we suspect spiritual opposition, we must oppose the enemy, remain at the task at hand, and redouble our prayers!

PRAYER
Praise God that He has given us instruction for life in the Bible and through the Holy Spirit:
Hannah prayed:  
My heart rejoices in the Lord;  
My horn is lifted up by the Lord.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
Because I rejoice in your salvation
(1 Samuel 2:1).

Pause for additional praise and thanksgiving. Now pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Additionally then, brothers and sisters,
We ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus,
That as you have received instruction from us
On how you should live and please God —
As you are doing — do this even more.
For you know what commands we gave you
Through the Lord Jesus. For God has not called us
To impurity but to live in holiness. Consequently,
Anyone who rejects this does not reject man,
But God, who gives you his Holy Spirit
(1 Thessalonians 4:1-2, 7-8).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to mind. Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
There is no one holy like the Lord.  
There is no one besides you!  
And there is no rock like our God.
He guards the steps of his faithful ones,  
But the wicked perish in darkness,  
For a person does not prevail by his own strength
(1 Samuel 2:2, 9).

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

• Diligence in our work in spite of obstacles
• Wisdom in making decisions
• Your activities for the day

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
By the God of your father who helps you,
And by the Almighty who blesses you
With blessings of the heavens above,
Blessings of the deep that lies below,
And blessings of the breasts and the womb.
The blessings of your father excel
The blessings of my ancestors  
And the bounty of the ancient hills.  
May they rest on the head of Joseph,
On the brow of the prince of his brothers
(Genesis 49:25-26).