AN ENEMY NAMED SANBALLAT  -Nehemiah 4: 15

Introduction:

You know when you have sat down to plan a worthy task or have began a laudable project or taken up a responsibility that others have abandoned, and you have the willingness and gusto to excel, suddenly things just take an unexpected turn? You know when at a point, frustration begins to set in? You begin to hear things, people mocking, judging, questioning your motive and even condemning you? You know that feeling? Usually, an enemy is at work. Whether a designated enemy or not, it is an enemy all the same. That is the enemy called Sanballat. If we read Nehemiah 4: 1 – 15, we will know a bit more about this enemy. There is a way we can effectively deal with this enemy and continue with our work, joyously. Before we look at the way forward, we need to understand this enemy more, so we can avoid being entangled by Sanballat.

Body:

1.    Who is Sanballat?

·         He is not your friend, even if he sometimes smiles with you. Bottom line, he is your enemy.

·         He is very happy when you are:

o   Poor, cannot pay your bills

o   In lack, begging

o   Fallen, a failure

o   A reproach, etc

·         He hates it when you:

o   Wake up to reality

o   Begin to claim your possession

o   Begin to build

o   Are productive, fruitful

o   Begin to exercise dominion and authority

o   Begin to claim your kingdom privileges and blessings, etc

·         He is a discourager, mocker, distractor and despiser. He will do anything that will lead you to abandon the good works you have begun.

·         He intimidates and frightens in order to stir up doubts in yourself, what you are doing or concerning your relationship with God.

·         He is a deceiver. Will lie to you  or deceive you into sin, so you can be separated from God

2.    Why does Sanballat do this (why is Sanballat against you)?

·         He knows what you may not know (some of us do not know that we carry a star or are gifted. See Matthew 2: 2  & 16 on Herod’s attempt to destroy Christ’s destiny)

·         He fears your capability. (Job 1: 9 - 11) If they can succeed against you, you lose the power & protection from God, and then they can make a mincemeat of you.

3.    What should you do?

·         Stand on the Lord –Isaiah 40:31 & Proverbs 18:10, by:

(a)  Spreading all before God for divine protection and sure success (Psalm 55:22 & 1 Peter 5:7)

(b) Plotting your defence –that’s why God gave us reasoning ability. Make the arrangements and God’ll ensure its success. Psalm 37:5, and

(c)  Continuing your good works to accomplish your purpose

Finally: As long as you are engaged in good works, Sanballats will arise. But be comforted by the knowledge that God is for every good work, so He is on your side. Rom. 8: 31 says “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” & Proverbs 18:10 reads “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Call unto God for His protection.

You need to combine prayers with the works. Not one or either, it must be both together! If you only pray without the work, that is a lazy man’s way and it tempts God.

If you only work without prayers, this is a proud man’s way and it slights God.

As you combine your prayers with your work, I pray that every Sanballat against your success and fulfilment will be defeated, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.