My Wrestling Match

I’ve been wrestling with something since September 22. It won’t let me go.

“When I arrived back in Jerusalem, I learned about Eliashib’s evil deed in providing Tobiah with a room in the courtyards of the Temple of God.” Nehemiah 13:7

It might seem a bit strange to that I would be hung-up on such a random scripture from the book of Nehemiah. Let me ‘splain.

The scripture is from my Read Thru the Word assigned reading. Team Nehemiah completed the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem. Ezra read the Book of the Law during the commemoration ceremony. The people recommitted themselves to God and made a solemn promise to uphold the Law and worship Him only.

All was good in Jerusalem. Nehemiah completed his God assignment and headed back to his position with King Artaxerxes.

Fast forward 10 years. Nehemiah returns for a visit. (Hang in there with. I promise I will make a point.)

All is no longer well in Jerusalem. The people have forgotten their recommitment and the priest has allowed the Tobiah, the enemy to move into the Temple. (Tobiah and Sanballat exhausted all efforts to stop the building of the wall.) Obviously their efforts were defeated however over the 10 years Tobiah forged a relationship with Elisashib the priest. Elisashib allowed Tobiah to rent a room in the Temple reserved for grains, temple articles and other items intended for Temple use.

Here’s my hang-up: They allowed the enemy to move in Temple.

The people have just returned from 70 years of captivity. The city is forfeited. They are once again in a right standing with God.  And the enemy is allowed to move in?

But wait. How many times do I allow the enemy back in?

My heart is the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. My body is the Temple of God. And all too often I allow the enemy back in and give up ground once forfeited by God’s work.

I don’t know why Elisashib befriended the enemy or why he allowed him anywhere near the Temple. But I do know this one verse has challenged me to remain strong in my relationship God and to never give my enemy any real estate God has empowered me to conquer.

I pray this causes a hang-up in your thinking too. Never surrender gained ground back to the enemy. Stay strong in your relationship with our great God. His strength in you will help you keep the enemy out.