photo #4728211

"Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?" (Nehemiah 6:1-3)The gaps in the wall around Jerusalem were filled, and the work was nearing completion. The workers were worn out, but they still had to hang the gates. The enemies tried one last desperate attempt to stop them. If they could pull their leader away from the city, they could kill him. Then they stood a much better chance of attacking the city and reopening the walls.After four invitations failed, they tried treachery. They sent an unsealed letter that declared that Nehemiah intended to make himself a king and revolt against Persia. They thought for sure that Nehemiah would come defend himself, but Nehemiah saw through their schemes. Finally, they hired prophets to lie and counselors to cause Nehemiah to fear. Remember that the hand of God is upon Nehemiah, and folks, that makes all the difference!Those in leadership are often tempted when the work is nearing completion. It is then that they are most tempted with pride, most vulnerable to invitations from the enemy. Lies are just another tactic of the enemy to discourage and defeat the leader. The devil is the father of lies. When all else fails, that nasty enemy of Christians will inspire those from within to cause you to fear or invite you to sin.Those 2 thugs, Sanballat and Geshem, wanted to meet with Nehemiah in the plain of Ono in order to hash things out. But Nehemiah knew that harm awaited him if he went. Now there's a message right there that those places called Ono are places where great harm awaits us. Be careful about those areas called ONO., Or as some have called it OH NO!How often Satan tries to call us off from our work for God! He cannot endure to see us engaged so eagerly on in Saviour's business and therefore raises up all sorts of hindrances and hostilities. Amid all these we have but one duty to perform. We must lose ourselves in our work. Ours to reply, “I am doing a great work, I cannot come down; why should the work cease?” If we see to God’s business, He will see to our safety.Friends, pray for your leaders, especially when the work is going well. Pray that the hand of God be upon them to give them discernment. Pray that they will see through the plans of the enemy and not yield. Pray that they will see the great work they are doing and refuse to "come down." Encourage them to stick it out until the work God has for them is completed.