Strengthen my hands
Strengthen my hands
Nehemiah 6:9 "For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands."
Sanballat and Geshem the Arabian, after hearing the breaches in Jerusalem's wall were repaired, invited Nehemiah to meet with them. They were planning to do him harm.
When Nehemiah refused, repeatedly, Sanballat sent a message with his servant.
He told Nehemiah he was hearing rumors that the Jews were planning to rebel against the king. That's why they were rebuilding the wall.
What's more, he heard Nehemiah would become their new king. He warned that word of this treachery would eventually reach the ears of Artaxerxes.
Therefore he pleaded with Nehemiah again: "come and meet with us about this."
The response was direct. No such thing is happening in Jerusalem. This is a story you made up.
That's when we arrive at this verse. Nehemiah knows that Israel's enemies would have them shrink from their work in fear.
And he prays for strength, both to persevere through these false accusations and to complete the wall, for this is what God has called him to do.
Nehemiah 6:9 "For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands."
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