Failure Is Impossible. Nehemiah 6:16NIV
Failure is impossible! These were the words spoken by Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906), known for her immovable stance on women’s rights in the US. Though she faced constant criticism and later an arrest, trial, and guilty verdict for voting illegally, Anthony vowed to never give up the fight to gain women the right to vote, believing her cause was just.
Nehemiah chapter 6, is all about threats and deception coming from the enemies of God. 42,360 Jews came back to Jerusalem to make a difference. They didn’t come back to be defeated! You see, these enemies did their best to get Nehemiah off track. If not murdered in cold blood.
One verse for this mornings text—Nehemiah 6:16NIV When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.
What did God’s enemies hear? “They heard how God gave Nehemiah discernment and wisdom, to recognize his enemies.’ ‘Also in part, because of his surety in the Lord, Nehemiah received a strong spiritual back-bone.” P.H
Though Susan B. Anthony didn’t live to see the fruit of her labor, her declaration proved true. In 1920, the nineteenth amendment to the constitution gave women the right to vote!
To Nehemiah, failure wasn’t an option; Nehemiah knew that his work was his calling.
He was called by God. Gal.1:10, You’re a God pleaser.
He was called to rebuild, and to restore. Nehemiah 2:17 Let is rise up and build....!
Nehemiah’s work existed because of someone’s prayer—you better believe someone had been interceding for Jerusalem.
Listen to Nehemiah 6:1-4NIV When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it—though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates— 2 Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.”
But they were scheming to harm me; 3 so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?” 4 Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer.
Don’t miss this, “Four times Nehemiah said the same answer.”
Again, Nehemiah 6:2-3TM I knew they were scheming to hurt me so I sent messengers back with this: 3 “I’m doing a great work; I can’t come down. Why should the work come to a standstill just so I can come down to see you?”
When God gives us a word, we should refuse everything else. We need to remember, That everything is inferior to God’s word—and God’s call. P.H
2 Corinthians 2:11NKJV lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.
It’s time to tell the devil and his schemes, “I’m carrying on a great project!”
Opposition came to Nehemiah in the form of deception and threats. The devil operates in many forms, some of his schemes operate with threats and deception.
Threats, because he’s the accuser of the brethren. Saten threatens you before God.
Deception, because that’s what his name means— satan—deceiver.
The enemy doesn’t give up easily. Listen to Nehemiah 6:5-9NLT The fifth time, Sanballat’s servant came with an open letter in his hand, 6 and this is what it said: “There is a rumor among the surrounding nations, and Geshem tells me it is true, that you and the Jews are planning to rebel and that is why you are building the wall. According to his reports, you plan to be their king. 7 He also reports that you have appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim about you, ‘Look! There is a king in Judah!’
“You can be very sure that this report will get back to the king, so I suggest that you come and talk it over with me.”
8 I replied, “There is no truth in any part of your story. You are making up the whole thing.”
9 They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us and stop the work. So I continued the work with even greater determination.
God gave Nehemiah the strength to persevere in the face of opposition.
Verse 9 say’s, “So I continued the work with even greater determination.”
If you’ve forgotten the name of this message it is—When God is on your side failure is impossible!
Is there a task you’re tempted to give up? Ask God to give you patience and perseverance.
Listen to the Apostle Paul’s conclusion of what faith produces in you. Romans 5:1-5NLT Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. 3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Again, Romans 5:1, Expresses we have been made right in God’s sight by faith.
Faith pleases God, faith in God is—everything.
According to Hebrews 11:1… Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.
5 Things I want you to remember:
Your faith confession can’t be improved upon. In everything—Trust God!
Your faith will see you through. Remember this, Fads come and go, but faith wins every time.
Your faith moves God, but all along, it builds you.
Your faith produces… gifts and fruit… Character.
Your faith will carry you through any and every life trial.
Nehemiah 6:15-16TM The wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of Elul. It had taken fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard the news and all the surrounding nations saw it, our enemies totally lost their nerve. They knew that God was behind this work.
In Nehemiah 6:17-19 the end of this chapter, The threats continued, the lies, and the deception didn’t let up.
What did Nehemiah do? He just kept his faith and his confession.
1 John 5:4NIV for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
Remember this, “Your confession is your faith!”
On game day, the 7th grade girls were running their first 2 mile race. One runner who practiced hard wanted to back out, afraid of how she would do on game day. However, they all ran, and all the runners made it back through the finish line, but one. All the sudden, she could be seen, her peers came around the finish line to make her feel better. However, as she crossed the line, she cried out, “That was awesome, I finished the race!”
God created you to conquer, and to win. This is a known fact, right before any major breakthrough everything within you will scream quit, stop, it’s not worth it! P.H
Nehemiah 6:9b…But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.”
These are the times and season God makes you. Through your personal struggles, your heartache, your physical, emotional and spiritual dilemmas, God’s creating greatness within, God wants you to ‘know’ you’ve won! P.H
Like Nehemiah, Ask God to strengthen your hands!
Benediction.
