Shepherd's Corner (November 26th, 2025)

Shepherd's Corner (11-26-25)Brian Lee

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When Pressure Increases, God Strengthens Our Hands

(Based on Nehemiah 6, Tuesday’s reading and meditation)

“And they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, ‘Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.’ But now, O God, strengthen my hands.”—Nehemiah 6:9 (ESV)

C.S. Lewis once observed that the devil rarely tempts us with dramatic, obvious evils. Instead, he leads us down “a gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings.” Spiritual danger often arrives disguised as something reasonable, harmless, even polite. The enemy prefers subtle invitations rather than open attacks, especially when God’s people are close to completing something important.

That is what we see in Nehemiah 6:1–14.

The wall of Jerusalem is nearly finished. The Bible records that “there was no breach left in it.” And at that very moment, the opposition uses psychological and deceptive tactics.

Sanballat and Geshem invite Nehemiah to a seemingly neutral meeting at Ono. But Nehemiah discerns their true motive:

“They intended to do me harm.”

Then comes an open letter filled with slander, intended to damage Nehemiah's reputation publicly. Finally, a religious snare appears when Shemaiah, secretly bribed, urges him to hide in the temple—an act that would violate God’s Word and discredit his leadership.

Yet Nehemiah does not yield.

He discerns the lie, answers truthfully, prays for strength, and stands firm:

“Should such a man as I run away?”

This is God’s grace sustaining a servant under pressure. God protects His people not only by shielding them from outside danger but by guarding their integrity from within. Discernment, courage, and steadiness are gifts He provides when we pray and ask.

We are all "weak vessels." And, our frailty is displayed when fear shapes our decisions. Fear makes shortcuts feel reasonable, and compromises feel justified. We prefer safety over obedience, reputation over righteousness, and immediate relief over long-term faithfulness. Sometimes, like Shemaiah, we even wrap self-preservation in spiritual language.

But the Grace of God is so faithful to us. Grace kept Nehemiah from the schemers. The same Grace keeps God’s people from deception, from slander, from fear, and even from sin. And Christ, the true and ultimate "Nehemiah," resisted every satanic temptation, refused every shortcut to glory, and completed the work the Father gave Him. Christ endured all that for us. Through Him, God strengthens His people so that fear does not rule us and lies do not derail us.

“On the day I called, you answered me; My strength of soul you increased.” —Psalm 138:3 (ESV)

In His Grace Alone,

Pastor Brian Lee