By Shawn Blackmon
Have you ever noticed that the closer you get to finishing what God called you to do, the harder the opposition becomes? You finally commit to praying consistently… and distractions multiply. You decide to repair your marriage… and the arguments increase. You step into your calling… and criticism suddenly comes from every direction. That isn’t a coincidence.
The enemy rarely attacks people who are standing still. He attacks people who are making progress. That’s exactly what happened to Nehemiah.
God called him to rebuild the broken walls of Jerusalem. The work was almost complete when the enemy changed his strategy. Instead of attacking the wall, they attacked the builder. They invited Nehemiah to meetings he never needed to attend. They spread lies about him. They questioned his motives. They tried to intimidate him with fear.
Why? Because they knew something many believers forget. If they could get Nehemiah off the wall, they could stop the work. Nehemiah’s response still echoes through history: “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down.” (Nehemiah 6:3) I love that response. He didn’t argue. He didn’t defend himself. He didn’t chase every rumor. He didn’t stop building just to prove someone wrong. He simply stayed focused on the assignment God had given him.
Can I encourage you with something? Not every invitation deserves your attention. Not every criticism deserves your response. Not every opportunity is from God. Sometimes the greatest act of faith is simply refusing to come down from what God has called you to build. The enemy knows he may not be able to destroy your calling, so he’ll try to distract you from it.
He’ll fill your schedule with good things until you no longer have time for the God thing. He’ll convince you to spend more time explaining yourself than obeying God. He’ll whisper fear into your heart, hoping you’ll quit just before your breakthrough. But Nehemiah teaches us something powerful.
When the pressure increased, he didn’t panic. He prayed. One of the shortest prayers in Scripture says everything we need to hear: “Now strengthen my hands.” (Nehemiah 6:9) Notice what he prayed. He didn’t ask God to remove every obstacle. He asked God for the strength to finish. Sometimes we’re asking God to make life easier, while God is trying to make us stronger.
The assignment God has given you is worth finishing. Maybe your wall is your marriage. Maybe it’s raising your children. Maybe it’s rebuilding your faith after disappointment. Maybe it’s your ministry, your business, your health, or the dream God placed in your heart years ago. Whatever God has called you to build, don’t abandon it because the opposition has increased.
In fact, your greatest resistance may be the greatest evidence that you’re closer than you think. So this week, every time distraction comes…Every time criticism stings…Every time fear whispers…Declare these words over your life: “I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down.”
Stay on the wall. Keep building. Finish what God called you to start. Because the God who gave you the assignment will also give you the strength to complete it.
Let’s Pray: Father, thank You for every assignment You have placed in my hands. Forgive me for allowing distractions, fear, or the opinions of others to pull my focus away from You. Strengthen my hands when I grow weary, steady my heart when opposition comes, and remind me that You are faithful to complete what You have started. Help me stay on the wall, finish my race, and bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Walk in grace. Stand in truth. Live blessed.
Pastor Shawn Blackmon serves as the Lead Pastor of UNITY Church in Attalla, Alabama, where his preaching is real, relevant and rooted in the unchanging Word of God. Beyond the pulpit, he serves as CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Alabama, leading life-changing mentoring initiatives that empower young people across five counties.
