Day Sixteen: After Restoration...Now What? (Part 1)

When the LORD dropped the story of Sanballat and Tobiah in my spirit, I felt it should be like a call and response. The call would be the verse, and my response will be talking about that very verse or verses. We will cover the first eight verses of Nehemiah 6 today, and we will wrap it up tomorrow.

Verses 1-2

“Now it was reported to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and no breach remained in it—even though at that time I had not positioned the doors in the gates. 2 Sanballat and Geshem sent word to me, saying, ‘Come, let us meet together in one of the villages in the plain of Ono.’ But they were scheming to do me harm.”

Response: Nehemiah had just finished rebuilding the walls of the temple, but still, the work was not complete. The enemy had sent out hounds to sniff around, monitoring their progress. Noticing that the gates were about to be put up and this would cut off their access, they wanted to send a distraction.

When all is said and done, the battle has been fought and won, do NOT relax. Make sure you are standing firm. The enemy will make sure that restoration is not full; he still wants access and seeing that open door is all he needs. He wants to make sure that there is still an opening for other demons to come in that have left. So, the restoration of your doors and gates is very important. Do not leave anything unattended.

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13

I mentioned this verse a few days ago, and the HOLY SPIRIT keeps bringing it back up. Remain guarded; make sure your feet stand firm. When you have done all you are supposed to do, make sure you are still standing; no sitting or relaxing is allowed. As you can see here in Nehemiah 6, there was no time to sit back; he had to keep working to make sure the gates were complete.

Verse 3

“So I sent messengers to them saying, ‘I am doing an important work, so I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?’”

Response: How do you respond when life starts questioning your devotion to the LORD, your standing? We make sure we are filling ourselves with the Word and with prayer. Do not leave your secret place, the Word, or stop fasting. Once again, stay guarded.

Verses 6-7

“It has been heard among the nations—and Geshem substantiates it—that you and the Jews are planning to revolt. That is why you are rebuilding the wall. Furthermore, according to these reports, you are to become their king 7 and have even appointed prophets to make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem saying, ‘There is a king in Judah.’ Now, the king is going to hear about these reports. So come now! Let us confer together.”

Response: Sanballat proceeds to come up with lies so he could instill fear in Nehemiah. If the king heard that Nehemiah was trying to be king and not go back to serving him, that would be big trouble for him.

Verse 8

“Then I sent a message to him, saying, ‘Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are devising them from your own heart.’”

Response: Can you identify when satan starts coming up with lies and accusations? Do you know what the Word says about you? Do you know how to respond? Make sure you never leave the secret place. We should increase our time here.

This is the time, brethren, to increase our time in prayer, in the Word, and fasting. May the LORD strengthen you and me, in JESUS’ Name. Amen.

Prayer:

Open our eyes, LORD; let us be cognizant of the devices of the enemy. Let us not get swept up in the lies of the enemy. Help us, oh LORD, to be on alert and watch for patterns in the attacks that come our way. Our spiritual senses will be heightened and always discerning, in JESUS’ Name. Amen.

“…looking unto Jesus, the author and ]finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

This one Scripture says so much in a few words. Let us dissect it together. 

KING JESUS is the author (originator) and finisher (perfector) of our faith. HE is the LAMB that was slain from the foundation of the earth, see Revelation 13:8. KING JESUS, the WORD made flesh (human) that dwelt among us, John 1:14, was, from the beginning, the plan of GOD for the redemption of mankind. Adam’s rebellion did not take GOD – FATHER, SON, HOLY SPIRIT – by surprise. There was already a plan: KING JESUS CHRIST.  

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:16-18

To complete the plan of redemption, KING JESUS CHRIST had to fulfill all that was written about HIM in Scripture from generations before HIS manifestation on the earth. There is a period of about 700 years between Isaiah’s prophesies to KING JESUS’ manifestation. 

KING JESUS authored our faith by suffering at the cross. HE finished our faith with resurrection. 

For the joy set before HIM, HE endured the Cross and despised the shame.

Our KING endured the Cross. HE could have come down at any time. HE could have said, “Thanks but no thanks.” HE asked the FATHER three times “if this cup can pass over me” (Matthew 26:36-46), but HE chose to give HIMSELF for us such that non-Jews could access the blessing of the earth through Abraham, and the mercies of GOD through David. 

But what was the “joy set before HIM?” What would GOD gain by the offer of salvation made available to mankind? 

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”

1 Peter 2:9-10

“For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.” Deuteronomy 7:6

“Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.” Exodus 19:5-6

You and I, the special treasure of GOD, the kings and priests unto the LORD, are the reason why JESUS allowed Romans to beat HIM beyond recognition with the whip and stones HE spoke into existence, and nail HIM to a cross made of wood HE created. 

That is how deep HIS love is for us, that HE would prove HIS love in BLOOD. This sacrifice made a way for us to enter into the abondance of GOD, into the blessings of GOD, into the mercies of GOD. 

Today, post-resurrection, KING JESUS CHRIST is sitting at the Right Hand of the Throne of GOD, as the HIGH PRIEST of our confession (Hebrews 3:1), continuously making intercession for us (Romans 8:34). 

Thank YOU, KING JESUS CHRIST.

Prayer:

Thank YOU, KING JESUS CHRIST, for enduring the Cross so that I could enter into the Blessings of Abraham and the Mercies of David. Thank YOU, LORD, for the suffering YOU endured such that I, we, could be saved. 

What do you call your children? Does their name change depending on how you’re feeling? At times, you may call your child “son” or “daughter,” “baby” or “handsome,” “gorgeous” or “young man.” But what about those times when you are frustrated with them – those times when they disobeyed or lied or were sneaky or rebellious? How many times have you referred to your child (no matter their age) as “stupid” or “jerk” or “retarded” … or something worse?

Whether you are a child, a young adult, or an elder, take a minute and think – were you made fun of when you were young? Did others, maybe your parents or loved ones, call you names or put you down…or did they encourage you? And did this become part of your identity, your self-image?

We have been discussing Scriptural strategies to break generational cycles and restore generational blessings through the mercies of the LORD. Now, it is time to make it practical. The freedom from our past must be reflected in our thoughts, our words, and our actions in the present.

Look at what happened to Jabez.

“Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother named him Jabez saying, ‘Because I bore him with pain.’ 10 Jabez called out to the God of Israel, saying, ‘If only You would greatly bless me, and enlarge my territory. Let Your hand be with me and keep me from harm so that I might not suffer pain.’ Adonai granted what he asked.” 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 TLV

These two verses took the Christian world by storm when a book was written about them 25 years ago, becoming the number one nonfiction bestseller in 2001. Why? Because many are attracted to the straightforward message of seeking GOD’s blessing and enlargement.

But let’s go deeper. Jabez’ mom cursed him – yes, cursed him – when she named him. The name “Jabez” means sorrow; he who grieves; borne in pain. So, when Jabez called out to GOD, he was asking GOD to break the word curse placed on him by a previous generation, and instead to bless him so that he would not suffer pain. His prayer is in direct correlation to reversing the curse from his mother.

This is not the only time we see the importance of names in the Word of GOD – Abram was renamed Abraham; Jacob was renamed Israel; Ben-oni was renamed Benjamin; and so on.

“Death and life are in the control of the tongue. Those who indulge in it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21 TLV

Words matter. Identity matters. Freedom must bring change. Change in how we view ourselves, and change in what we speak into the lives of our children, youth, and young adults.

“I call the heavens and the earth to witness about you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Therefore choose life so that you and your descendants may live, 20 by loving Adonai your God, listening to His voice, and clinging to Him. For He is your life and the length of your days, that you may dwell on the land that Adonai swore to your fathers—to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob—to give them.” Deuteronomy 30:19-20

Generational blessings or generational curses? “Therefore choose life so that you and your descendants may live…”

Prayer:

KING JESUS CHRIST, today I choose life. Please help me to guard my tongue such that the words that I speak – about myself and to others – will reflect YOUR life. Forgive me for perpetuating the word curses in my family. Today, I choose life, reversing the curse through the mercies of the LORD. ADONAI, I listen to YOUR voice, for YOU are my life. In JESUS’ Name. Amen.

 “Then Yeshua was saying to everyone, ‘If anyone wants to follow Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross every day, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.’” Luke 9:23-24

There must be daily death/sacrifice because JESUS even tells us to pick up our cross every day. Rest assured that the cross is heavy; it involves losing our lives to this world so we can have it saved in JESUS.

“Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Messiah Yeshua. 4 No one serving as a soldier entangles himself in the activities of everyday life, so that he might please the one who enlisted him.” 2 Timothy 2:3-4

Conversations with my kids this weekend included the fact that some Christians want their walk with JESUS to be easy. We all want it to be easy, I mean, who doesn’t?  BUT there must be death involved; there must be sacrifice. Look at the verse above, starting with verse three. Being a good soldier means facing hardship. I’d bet you will never meet a soldier who said the time they spent in the military was easy. Paul is here telling Timothy that part of being a good soldier was to suffer hardship with him.

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13

Have you done all that you can do? Have you fought and won? Have you been able to trace down the bloodlines and restore everything to JESUS? Don’t relax, don’t put down your weapons, make sure to STAND!

When there is no one there to cheer you on, and you have to make that decision to die to your flesh, we are pleasing the LORD. It is not glamorous either. Ask JESUS as HE carried that cross; ask HIM as HE pleaded with the FATHER to take ‘this’ cup from HIM.

Everything GOD does is controversial; HIS process, choices, and methods cause us to scratch our heads. Mary's process of getting pregnant, Israel walking around the wall of Jericho for seven days, Abraham leaving the only home he knew and heading out into the unknown, and many more. If JESUS did not follow what we would say is normal protocol and make things easy for HIS children, why do we think HE is going to change the way HE does things now?

The enemy is not going to take that loss sitting down; he cheats and goes back into our bloodline, looking for loopholes we had no idea existed. Make sure you are standing, soldier!

Are you tired? Stand! Are you celebrating the restoration of all that has been stolen from you? Stand! We are dying and standing all day long; remember, we do this to please the ONE who enlisted us into the military.

Prayer:

LORD JESUS, we ask for strength and focus. Strength to overcome this world and not fail in dying daily. Focus to keep our eyes on YOU. YOU are the only ONE we want to please and choose to please. In JESUS’ Name. Amen.

“O Lord God, do not turn away the face of Your Anointed; remember the mercies of Your servant David.” 2 Chronicles 6:42

“And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’” Acts 13:34

As we continue our discussion on the sure mercies of David, I encourage you to read 2 Samuel 7 and 1 Chronicles 17. David knew that GOD had made him king when things that never happened during the reign of Saul started happening for him. 

“Then Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters and masons. And they built David a house. 12 So David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted His kingdom for the sake of His people Israel.” 2 Samuel 5:11-12

From shepherd to king, GOD established David and made other kings seek his favor - all because of his heart of worship that resulted in obedience, a heart posture the LORD could not ignore. This covenant included David’s sons, and David’s SON. When Solomon, David’s earthly son, sinned, the LORD told him because of his father, David, HE would not divide the earthly kingdom from him in his lifetime. Rather, Solomon’s son Rehoboam paid for his father’s sin, see 1 Kings 11:9-12. When KING JESUS, the SON of David, was to be born, HE came through the line of Mary, who was a descendant of David’s son, Nathan, fulfilling the promise in 2 Samuel 7 and 1 Chronicles 17 that David would have a SON to sit on the throne of Israel forever. 

Psalm 89:20-37 tells us what the sure mercies of David entail. 

“I have found My servant David; With My holy oil I have anointed him, 21 With whom My hand shall be established; Also My arm shall strengthen him. 22 The enemy shall not outwit him, Nor the son of wickedness afflict him. 23 I will beat down his foes before his face, And plague those who hate him. 24 But My faithfulness and My mercy shall be with him, And in My name his horn shall be exalted. 25 Also I will set his hand over the sea, And his right hand over the rivers. 26 He shall cry to Me, ‘You are my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation.’ 27 Also I will make him My firstborn, The highest of the kings of the earth. 28 My mercy I will keep for him forever, And My covenant shall stand firm with him. 29 His seed also I will make to endure forever, And his throne as the days of heaven. 30 If his sons forsake My law And do not walk in My judgments, 31 If they break My statutes And do not keep My commandments, 32 Then I will punish their transgression with the rod, And their iniquity with stripes. 33 Nevertheless My lovingkindness I will not utterly take from him, Nor allow My faithfulness to fail. 34 My covenant I will not break, Nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips. 35 Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David: 36 His seed shall endure forever, And his throne as the sun before Me; 37 It shall be established forever like the moon, Even like the faithful witness in the sky. Selah”

Psalm 89:20-37

When blind Bartimaeus cried out “JESUS, SON of David have mercy on me…” he was not just acknowledging HIM as MESSIAH, but Bartimaeus was tapping into the mercy that KING JESUS embodied because of the covenant made to David. 

Prayer:

Oh LORD, the mercy of David is something we have access to through KING JESUS CHRIST. LORD, let the benefits of this mercy apply in my life and in the life of my descendants forever. When our youth and young adults sin, correct them in YOUR mercy and not in YOUR righteous judgement. LORD, do not allow the sons of wickedness to afflict us. We want to live in the mercies of David, in KING JESUS’ Name, amen. 

“Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you—The sure mercies of David.” Isaiah 55:3

Many of us know the covenant the LORD made to Abram in Genesis 15. The LORD cut covenant with the blood of a heifer, a female goat, a ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon. ADONAI walked through the blood of the sacrifice by LIGHT, while Abram watched in terror. There the LORD spoke of HIMSELF as the reward of obedience, Abram’s descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, their 400 years of slavery, and the eventual inheritance of Canaan – the Promised Land. But it was when Abraham agreed to sacrifice Issac, what was most precious to him, the heir he had been waiting for, the child that was born to him at 100 years of age, that GOD gave him the SEED – also referred to as the SEED of Abraham, KING JESUS CHRIST, Genesis 22.

“And He said, ‘Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.’ … 15 Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, 16 and said: ‘By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son— 17 blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. 18 In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.’” Genesis 22:12, 15-18

Fast forward to another covenant, the Covenant of David, also referred to as the sure mercies of David. 

“Now it came to pass when the king was dwelling in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies all around, 2 that the king said to Nathan the prophet, ‘See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains.’ … 11b[Nathan said to the king,] ‘Also the Lord tells you that He will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. 15 But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.’”  2 Samuel 7:1-2, 11b-16

David did the same thing Abraham did. In his heart, he thought to offer GOD the very best he knew how to give. The LORD GOD had given him victory and rest from all the wars against the house of Saul and had given him the kingdom and all his external enemies. In his place of rest, he thought, “How can I show GOD my love, my devotion, my gratitude? In addition, I live in this beautiful house that the blessings of GOD have provided for me. What can I give HIM? Build HIM a house. Give ADONAI what I would want.” It was accounted to David as worship, and ADONAI responded with a covenant. 

The SEED, KING JESUS, came from David because David knew how to obey and worship to move the Hand of GOD. He put his worship into action, and it translated into covenant. Abraham obeyed and worshiped, and it translated into covenant. Tomorrow, we shall dissect the mercy that obedience and worship released. 

Prayer:

LORD GOD, let my obedience and worship move YOU to cut covenant with me. I want the sure mercies of David to operate in my life. In KING JESUS’ Name, amen.