Prayer: Father, You are not an intimidator, but Your counterpart is. I know the spirit of intimidation is not from You. Amen.
Reading: Nehemiah 6 key: vs. 12-14 “I recognized that God had not really sent him, for he had pronounced the prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. He had been hired so that I might become so frightened that I would do this and thereby sin. Then they would give me a bad name in order to discredit me. Remember, my God, Tobiah and Sanballat according to these works of theirs, and also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who have been trying to intimidate me.” TLV
Attention: Intimidation is not a new thing. It has been around as long has man has been on earth. Spiritually, it is a tool of the enemy of our souls. I’m reminded of the story the Apostle John Mark records in the book named for him. It is an account of a man with an unclean spirit who lived among the tombs. He was terrorizing the surrounding territory with his screams both day and night. As soon as Yeshua got out of the boat, the man from the tombs confronted Him and bowed down to Him. With a loud voice he cried out, “What’s between You and me, Yeshua, Ben El Elyon? I’m warning you, in the name of God, do not torment me!” (Mark 5:7b). I am always amused by the accusation from the unclean spirit. The tormentor begged the Liberator not to torment him.
We need to understand and recognize the dynamics like Nehemiah did when he declared, “I recognized that God had not really sent him, for he had pronounced the prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. He had been hired so that I might become so frightened that I would do this and thereby sin. Then they would give me a bad name in order to discredit me” (6:12-13).
God had revealed to him the true nature of Shemaiah’s relationship with Sanballat and Gesham. They had paid him to help intimidate Nehemiah. It is a sad situation when God’s spiritual leaders compromise their anointing for profit and financial gain.
As New Testament followers of Yeshua, let’s remember the words of Paul the emissary of Messiah to young Timothy, “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity but of power and love and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). God has not given us a spirit of fear or intimidation, but of “power and love and self-discipline.” Let us embrace the words of Paul in our daily battle against the forces of darkness.
Action: I choose to embrace the declaration of Paul against intimidation.
Yield: I choose to live an overcoming lifestyle in the power of the Ruach.
Engage: I choose to engage with the Holy Spirit in discerning the source of intimidation.
Relationship: I choose to live in intimate relationship with Adonai.
Prayer: Father, I praise You for the power I have in the Ruach Elohim to stand against the schemes of the evil one. May I stand in power as Your Word and name defeat the enemy of my soul. Amen.
Memory Verse: 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity but of power and love and self-discipline.” TLV
Music Video: Maverick City Music—I Thank God https://youtu.be/5bOgOBFy9sE?si=iMf8_EwvwcfRgN5-
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”