Anchor Devotional
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Praying for Protection
“But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.” Nehemiah 4:9
It would be nice if we could simply commit our hearts and ways to the Lord and be spared any further conflict in the Christian life. But the opposite often happens. The Lord makes us prayerful and faithful, and the opposition grows. Never underestimate how this world rages against the living God and against His Christ.
We see this played out with Nehemiah and the remnant. They committed their ways to the Lord, and got to work, but this further enraged their enemies. How do we respond to growing threats? With growing prayerfulness. The temptation is to give way or to take matters into our own hands.
God’s people prayed … and went back to work. Not just back to work, but they set a guard and became extra vigilant in the face of their enemies. As Jesus prepared to bear a cross for our sake, He told His disciples to pray. He did the same, readying Himself for the coming hour. Unlike what many say in our day, prayer is not a cop-out in the face of trouble. It is the means appointed by our Father to meet this hour with vigilance and courage.
SCRIPTURE FOCUS
Nehemiah 4:7-9
INSIGHT
In your hour of trial, fall to your knees before the Lord, and He will strengthen you.
THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
1 Samuel 22-23
Psalm 131
2 Corinthians 13
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