Hey Bible readers, I'm Tara Lee Cobble and I'm your host for the Bible recap.

Yesterday we left off with Nehemiah and his crew working on the wall with a sword in

one hand and a shovel in the other.

Today is there about to wrap up the finishing touches on the wall.

Two of his bullies, San Ballad and Gesham, send him a threatening letter.

It's veiled as a party invitation, but Nehemiah knows better.

So he writes back, sorry you guys, gonna have to RSVP know to this one I've got a big

project to at work.

They write back three more times because they can't take a hint.

San Ballad servant rides up on his Harley and hands him another invitation slash threat.

This time it includes some false accusations the team of bullies invented.

They say he wants to be king and he's making profits lie about everything.

He calls their bluff because he knows this is part of their plan to intimidate him.

As they're trying to weaken his resolve, he prays, now oh God, strengthen my hands.

And God answers that prayer with a yes.

We'll see it in the discernment God continues to give Nehemiah.

He seeks guidance from a local prophet named Shemaya, but he realizes something is off when

Shemaya suggests he goes to hide in the temple.

He knows he's not allowed in the temple, he's not a priest.

And God reveals to Nehemiah that his enemies have hired prophets to lie to him.

Shemaya was in on the conspiracy.

If Nehemiah had been responding to his fears and not to his God, he would have ended up

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