3rd in a series on Nehemiah's prayers Nehemiah is being attacked by Sandballat and Tobias. The wall project must go on! But the need is great! Pray for protection! Imprecatory prayers are Biblical.

1. “Vengeance is Mine”
Nehemiah 4:1-6

2. Ridicule and Abuse
• Sandballat did not like the work being
done. (4:1)
• He turned his influential friends against
the work too. (4:2)
• Tobiah told a joke about a little fox
knocking over the wall. (4:3)

3. Not Laughing
• Nehemiah was not laughing.
• He prayed an imprecatory prayer. (4:4-5)
– You have heard how we are being abused.
– You are in charge of defending our honor.
– Let them know what it feels like to be us.
– Don’t let them get away with this.
= divine justice, judgment against
sin, action by God, for His work and glory

4. Leading
"The real test of a leader is how he or she
faces crises and reacts to opposition."
Mervin Brenemen

5. Back to Work
• Nehemiah and his crew trusted God
with dispatching the bullies.
• They went back to work with a new
resolve. (4:6)
• God encouraged their hearts and
blessed their work.

6. Our Prayers
• Trust God to call, equip and move
leaders to lead towards His projects.
• Lay out the
letters, comments, manipulative
schemes before God.
– Refuse to get entangled in a defensive
confrontation with the naysayers.
– Let God thwart disobedience and bless
obedience.
• Ask for a heart and mind for His work.

7. Our Prayers
• and then get up from prayer and work!