Text: Nehemiah 4:1-3
Memory text:
“But it so happened, when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious and very indignant, and mocked the Jews.”
‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

The presence of enemies is not a sign of failure but a sign that your next level is near. Don’t get worried if your enemies get threatened by your progress, success, or advancement.
“When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of it, they were deeply disturbed that a man had come to seek the well-being of the children of Israel.” ‭‭(Neh‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬).
When Nehemiah heard about the situation of Jerusalem and about its broken walls, he requested permission from the king to go to rebuild the walls, and it was granted. Strangely, not everyone at Jerusalem was happy with the idea. Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem became angry, mocking, and actively opposed the restoration work. Restoring the broken walls meant restoring order in the land, rediscovering their identity as covenant people, renewing their strength, and providing protection for the inhabitants. The enemies were threatened by these because they benefited from the broken walls of the city. Anytime you are making progress and bringing back the good things that were lost, your enemies and critics will protest. It makes them angry because it exposes their selfishness and evil ways. They protest because they have been benefiting from the crisis and disorderliness. For example, your knowing the truth can annoy those who profit from your ignorance; your healing from those who profit from your ill health; your financial independence from those who profit from your persistent lack; and your family peace from those who profit from your disunity and crisis.
Don’t be surprised, nor try to withdraw when some people protest against your leadership. If you don’t want to be criticized, just maintain the status quo. But as long as you want to repair the broken walls, introduce progressive ideas, and do what is right in the sight of God, you will shake the status quo. They will try to discourage you and fight against your move because they fear what you and the people might become when your relationship with God is restored (Neh 4:1).
Friends, don’t be surprised when your progress stirs up the nest. Always remember that your progress is not the problem, rather, it’s their insecurity. Therefore, don’t shrink to make others comfortable.

Prayer points
1. Father, please, strengthen me and inject fresh courage into my heart in the midst of opposition against my progress, in Jesus’ name.
2. I frustrate all attempts and schemes of the enemy to discourage and stop my progress in Jesus’ name.

Today’s declarations
1. My enemies are threatened by my progress because they fear what I can become when I am fully restored.
2. I know that whenever I move to the side of God and do what is right, my enemies will try to discourage me and stop me.