SCRIPTURE: Nehemiah 4

Paul warned his protege Timothy, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). Nehemiah 4 teaches us especially about responding to self-declared opponents of Christ and His people. While openly aggressive persecution of Christians is relatively rare in modern North America, God wants believers everywhere to ready themselves to face opposition faithfully. Because God is worthy of our all, He calls us to respond to this world’s hostility with a fierce obedience, a response that begins with bold prayer, follows with shrewd action, and flows from a heart transformed by God’s love in Christ.