Along life’s pathways we are more than likely to meet obstacles, disappointments, setbacks. Life is a series of appointments, some pleasant and some unpleasant. In order to become a divine champion, an overcomer indeed we need to learn how to turn pressure into power. When the devil is on our case, when everything appears to be going wrong, when we are in the midst of a battle for survival, when it appears as if all is lost, know that it’s not over till it’s over.
A stumbling block represents an obstruction, a hindrance, a blockage between you and your desired goal. I want to teach us in this article how to turn our stumbling blocks into stepping stones. By God’s grace we will be considering the story of the life of a man who did just that. His name was Nehemiah and he was a human being like us. He was able to maximize potential and fulfill destiny by adopting certain principles and we can learn valuable lessons by examining his life.
Nehemiah’s story begins in the book of Nehemiah chapter 1. Nehemiah was a common man in a unique position. He was a Jewish exile living in Persia and he was a cup-bearer to the Persian King, Artaxerxes. Nehemiah understood purpose for he saw a problem and instead of complaining and wallowing in self-pity and grief he took action. He knew that God wanted him to motivate the Jews to rebuild Jerusalem’s broken walls. He left a responsible position in the Persian government as the King’s cup-bearer, to do what he knew that God wanted him to do. When Nehemiah arrived in Judah he was greeted with opposition. Opposition to the rebuilding of Jerusalem had been going on for 90 years by those who settled in the area when the Jews were taken captive. In every generation there are those who hate God’s people and try to block God’s purpose. Whenever you try to achieve anything expect that;
- Some will oppose you
- Some will hope that you fail
- When you expect opposition you will be prepared rather than surprised. I John 3v13 “Marvel not my brethren if the world hate you” of course knowing that God is with you, in you and for you is always the best incentive for moving ahead, in the face of opposition.
Nehemiah 2v10 reveals two enemies Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite who were opposers to progress. Nehemiah 2v19-20 reveal three enemies – Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite and Geshem the Arabian. Nehemiah 4v1-3 – Sanballat, Tobiah and the army of Samaria. Nehemiah 4v7-9 Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabians, the Ammonites and the Ashdodites. Nehemiah 6v1 – Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem and the rest of their enemies.
Sanballat means the enemy is secret. The enemy is always secret and he uses different wiles i.e. methodia. Ephesians 6v11 “Put on the whole armour of God, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil”.
EXAMINATION OF METHODIA USED AGAINST NEHEMIAH
- Mockery and ridicule – Nehemiah 2v19, can cut deeply causing discouragement and despair.
- Anger, wrath and indignation – Nehemiah 4v1-3. The devil always roams around like a hungry lion.
- Conspiracy and war – Nehemiah 4v7-9. Satan is always at war with us we cannot afford to rest on our oars.
- Continual threatening’s- Nehemiah 4v10-23. Satan is always trying to weary the saints.
- Craftiness – Nehemiah 6v1-4 Rumors, false reports, personal attacks, hurt and unjustified criticism.
- By accusation – Nehemiah 6v5-9. Satan always shows up as the accuser of the brethren (Zechariah 3v1)
- By treachery Nehemiah 6v10-14 – satan always shows up as the deceiver. All his wiles or methodia is to deceive, discourage and cause despair, but those who trust in their God shall be strong and do exploits. (Daniel 11v32b)
KEYS TO TURNING STUMBLING BLOCKS TO STEPPING STONES
- Be focused: – refuse to be diverted, don’t shift ground Ephesians 6v13. When you find yourself in a tight situation and it appears as if there is no way out you’ve got to “Continue the Work”
- Be prayerful: – Nehemiah 4v9. Eight times in the book of Nehemiah we read that Nehemiah prayed spontaneously. He prayed at all times, even when talking to others. Nehemiah knew God as Jehovah Shammah the ever present God, who hears and answers prayers. For us to be able to withstand and succeed at overcoming temptations and troubles and opposition we must know how to pray James 5v19. We must learn to pray not only in our understanding but also in the Spirit. Acts 12v5 (Peter in prison), Jude 20, James 5v16b (effectual fervent prayer of the righteous man availeth much), I Corinthians 14v2 (he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh unto God). Prayer was the key to Nehemiah’s success and it will be the key to our own success. Prayer is the key that unlocks the door of our blessings and gives us a way of escape. See Psalm 5v3 (prayer in the morning), Psalm 55v17 (evening, morning and noon) will I pray aloud and He shall hear my voice and Luke 6v12 – All night prayer of Jesus.
- Have and exhibit initiative: – See Nehemiah 4v9 (NIV). To initiate means to begin something, to commence, to make a first move, resourcefulness etc. After prayer some form of action is needed, because anytime we pray God will always show us the way of escape i.e. the escape route out of any problem. This of course comes back to the basic principle of faith. Believe God and act on His promises. Faith in God always produces action. Posting a guard in the spiritual sense is fighting the good fight of faith by remaining watchful. Matthew 13v25 “But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way”. Be vigilant, so that the enemy does not break down your walls of faith. In the natural some people need to take some initiative e.g. looking for a job or restoring a broken relationship. Also you can post a guard with your mouth by reminding yourself of the promise of God concerning the particular situation you are facing, e.g. saying ‘no weapon formed or fashioned against me shall prosper’.
- Be inspired: – Get inspired in the word. Realize that the greater one lives in you I John 4v4. “That you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you” Philippians 4v13. Tell yourself that there can be no testimony without a test, no victory without a fight. We are enjoined to fight the good fight of faith. Christ has already given us the victory but we are to fight to possess our possession. Galatians 3v13-14 – Christ has redeemed us from poverty, sickness and death. Nehemiah was committed inspite of all the opposition surrounding him. He encouraged himself in the Lord. He inspired the Jews around him by talking about the power of God and reminding them of the awesomeness of God. When you find yourself in a tough situation think about how big your God is and talk about it. Nothing is bigger than God for the word of God says He is higher than the highest Psalm 5v8.
Nehemiah reminded those around him of: –
- The purpose for which God had called them
- That they had power to accomplish that purpose. You also need to understand that God has called you as an individual to do something definite. He has not just called you to mark time. As long as the Almighty is your defence, your strength and shield and exceeding great reward the devil is like a chained dog. He threatens you with everything He says He’s going to do but just keep on moving. He can’t get to you as long as you are walking with God. Instead of getting into fear inspire yourself. Your task is not complete until your life is over ‘Occupy till I come’ Luke 19v13. While we are doing this we need to note very carefully God’s promise in Romans 8v38-39 which says nothing can separate us from the love God. When the enemy comes in like a flood don’t look at the problem, look at the opportunities that present themselves, because the Spirit of God will always lift a stand against the enemy. (See Isaiah 59v19)
Psalm 34v19 “Many are the afflictions of the righteous…….”
II Corinthians 4v17 “For our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory”.
v18 “While we look not at the things which are seen but look at the things which are not seen for the things which are seen are temporal”. Our troubles should not diminish our faith or disillusion us. We should realize there is a purpose in our suffering. But the things which are not seen are eternal (we see them with the eye of faith).
Adversity builds spiritual muscles. How you respond to adversity builds you up. If you are going to fulfill divine destiny, you must learn how to push through adversities and move on. Isaiah 41v10. Out of our darkest hours comes our greatest opportunities. Don’t be a whiner be a warrior. Shake it off and step it up.
Make a decision today to bury anything that has pulled you down, held you back, kept you in despair, limited you, deceived you or made you vulnerable. Today threw it into an imaginary coffin give it a decent burial and don’t go digging it up again. Declare it over!
Shalom.
Busola Olotu
“And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire; And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way. So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives. Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. And David’s two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God”.
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