“Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies found out that I had finished rebuilding the wall and that no gaps remained—though we had not yet set up the doors in the gates. 2 So Sanballat and Geshem sent a message asking me to meet them at one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But I realized they were plotting to harm me, 3 so I replied by sending this message to them: “I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?” 4 Four times they sent the same message, and each time I gave the same reply. 5 The fifth time, Sanballat’s servant came with an open letter in his hand, 6 and this is what it said: “There is a rumor among the surrounding nations, and Geshem tells me it is true, that you and the Jews are planning to rebel and that is why you are building the wall. According to his reports, you plan to be their king. 7 He also reports that you have appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim about you, ‘Look! There is a king in Judah!’ “You can be very sure that this report will get back to the king, so I suggest that you come and talk it over with me.”
8 I replied, “There is no truth in any part of your story. You are making up the whole thing.” 9 They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us and stop the work. So I continued the work with even greater determination.”” Nehemiah 6:1-9 NLT
Father of Truth,
So near the end and together in the task. Just some of the doors and gates to hang. Then a taunt. But Nehemiah will not be distracted by the taunts of his enemies. He simply counters it with – that’s a lie. Or rather there is no truth in what you say. And then there was more determination in Nehemiah’s work.
Sometimes the enemy uses our thoughts to fill us with doubts and fears and worries. Or people who know just how to wind us up! Sometimes we need to say out loud to ourselves. There is no truth in that. Its a lie.
Your Son warns us about the devil in John chapter 8 and verse 44, “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
We need to discern the difference between Your voice and the surreptitious scheming voice of the enemy. And the enemy sometimes flavours the lie with a half truth so we need to be on guard. We need Your Holy Spirit, Lord God, Your discernment, Your light of understanding. We cannot do without You.
In Jesus name we pray.
Worship Friday 10th October 2025
I could not do without Thee,
O Saviour of the lost,
whose precious blood redeemed me
at such tremendous cost;
thy righteousness, thy pardon,
thy precious blood, must be
my only hope and comfort,
my glory and my plea.
I could not do without Thee,
I cannot stand alone,
I have no strength or goodness,
no wisdom of my own;
but thou, belovèd Saviour,
art all in all to me,
and weakness will be power
if leaning hard on Thee.
I could not do without Thee,
O Jesus, Saviour dear;
E’en when my eyes are holden,
I know that thou art near;
how dreary and how lonely
this changeful life would be
without the sweet communion,
the secret rest with Thee.
I could not do without You,
for years are fleeting fast,
and soon in solemn loneness
the river must be passed;
but thou wilt never leave me,
and though the waves roll high,
I know thou wilt be near me,
and whisper, ‘It is I.’
Lyrics: Francis Riley Havergal