Introduction:
Satan has never stopped opposing God's work. Here, he was pleased and satisfied that God's house lie in ruins. When he sees God's temple, the church, laying idle and in ruins, not affective he is very pleased. It is when concern for others, a rebuilding of God's house takes place that he begins his onslaught to halt it. Let us notice his modus operandi (MO)

1. Nehemiah's concern for Israel and prayer to God in their behalf (Chapter 1)
   We see Nehemiah, a man much like Isaiah, who recognizes the problem and says "send me" (2:5). We need to open our eyes and see the situation today and sincerely say, "Lord send me".

2. Satan's response in the form of Sanballat and Tobiah. (2-6)
   1. He heard a man was concerned and was grieved, worried (2:10)
      As long as the Church is idle, playing church games without real concern for others, Satan is not worried. When the church shows genuine concern Satan takes notice and begins to worry.
   2. He heard they were going to rebuild and ridiculed them (2: 19)
      Satan has been successful over the centuries to pacify the church. He reduced it to religious ceremony and differing faith groups competing for numbers among themselves. When he sees the people have "made up their minds to work" (2:18), he sets out laugh and ridicule all efforts.
   3. He heard the work had started he was furious mocking the Jews (4: 1)
      Is it only coincidental that when God's people get serious there is always someone demeaning the work saying "it will ever work" or "it won't last". He will use people, yes even in the church, to mock or make fun of any sincere effort to "build up the walls and close the breaches" within God's building.
   4. He heard the people were unified in the work so he conspired to fight and hinder the work (4: 7-8)
      Leave it to Satan to physically hinder the work of God. He will have someone stand out and cause a division among the body by stirring up strife thereby dividing the church, (a house divided will not stand). You will notice at this time many start making excuses why they can't continue the work,(4:10-23)
   5. He heard the work was done and tried to compromise through deceit, outright lies (6:1-9)
      He is bound and determined to stop the work. When all else fails he will attack the leaders by spreading malacious lies about them, (6:6-14).

3. Result of unified work (6: 15-16)
   1. The wall was completed (15)
      When God's people "resist the devil" he will indeed flee and the work will be completed. As long as we focus on Jesus and not ourselves, He will bring His work to fruition.
   2. The people knew this was a work of God.
      It is our prayer and aim that every work should bring glory to God. When, in the face of many oppositions, souls are being saved added to the church, lives are being changed to and the body is growing up into Christ in love the world will see that this is indeed a "Work of God"

Conclusion:
It is interesting to note that "Sanballat" is an Akkadian name, Sin_uballit, meaning "Sin (a moon god) Has Given Life". Satan would have us believe that doing "what is right in our own eyes" is what life is all about. Don't be fooled.

This account reveals to us truth. Truth that when one is truly concerned for others Satan begins his efforts to reverse the situation. First, he becomes worried that someone cares enough to do something. Second, using other people he seeks to make fun of the effort and accuse falsely. Third, His ridicule turns to belittling the efforts. Fourth, when that fails he through others physically tries to stop the work by bringing in division. A faithful, unified work of love and concern will always accomplish much in the face of Satan's opposition and God will bless the work. But we still cannot relax as Satan will continue by seeking through deceitful compromise to join hands with the workers and spread vicious lies about the leaders. Remember, Satan is alive and powerful as he continues to oppose God's people "being about the Father's business."

CHALLENGE: When seeking to follow the Lord's leadership always consider the source of opposition and don't let Satan gain the victory by stopping the work.