“The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no heritage or right or memorial in Jerusalem.” – Nehemiah 2:20
Knowing who you are and what you are called to do is critical in fulfilling God’s purpose. When Nehemiah faced opposition from Sanballat and Tobiah, he didn’t waver. Instead, he boldly proclaimed, “We His servants will arise and build.” Nehemiah understood his identity as a servant of God, and that gave him both clarity and courage. He wasn’t just any leader—he was a servant of the Most High, and his confidence came from that relationship. It didn’t matter who was against him; his mission was backed by God Himself.
Nehemiah’s opposition, on the other hand, was focused on their earthly ties. Sanballat and Tobiah felt secure because they were servants of the king of Persia. Yet, Nehemiah knew that being a servant of God meant he had access to a far greater authority and resource. Servants of the king may rely on the power of men, but servants of God rely on the infinite power of the Creator. This truth brings us to a place of humility, recognizing that we do not act on our own accord. Like Nehemiah, we must submit to the will of our Master and trust Him to provide all we need to accomplish His work.
As we face challenges and enemies in our own lives, we must remember who we are: we are His servants. Our identity is rooted in serving God, and that means we don’t rely on our own strength or resources. Instead, we act according to His will, and He supplies us with everything we need. The enemy wants us to forget this truth. He wants us to think we are alone or that we are working for our own glory. But, like Nehemiah, we must remind ourselves and our opposition that we are on assignment from God.
Nehemiah’s boldness came from this confidence. He wasn’t afraid to face those who mocked and scorned him because he knew his purpose and his position as a servant of God. This same confidence is available to us when we acknowledge that our service is for the King of kings. We are not just building walls; we are fulfilling the will of God. When we understand our identity and trust in God’s provision, no opposition can stand against us.
Lord, I thank You for calling me to be Your servant. Help me to always remember who I am in You, and give me the courage to arise and build according to Your will. Teach me to rely not on my own strength, but on the resources You provide. When opposition comes, remind me that I serve the God of heaven, and give me the boldness to continue Your work with confidence.
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