By Dr. Dotun Oyewole
Date: Jan 26, 2025.
Life often throws challenges that seem insurmountable—challenges that threaten to derail your progress, disrupt your peace, and distract you from fulfilling your God-given purpose. These obstacles, whether they come as mockery, intimidation, or spiritual resistance, are not new. In the story of Nehemiah, we find timeless lessons on how to overcome opposition and rebuild the broken areas of our lives. Today, I want to encourage you with the truth that God’s response to opposition is empowerment to overcome.
The Restoration Anointing: Rebuilding What Was Broken
In the book of Nehemiah, we are introduced to a man called by God to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. The city’s walls were in ruins, leaving its people vulnerable to shame, ridicule, and attack. Yet, Nehemiah carried a restoration anointing—a divine power to rebuild and restore what was broken.
However, this restoration did not come easily. Nehemiah faced intense opposition from three key adversaries: Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem. These men mocked him, intimidated him, and conspired to stop the work. Their goal was to create fear and confusion, but Nehemiah remained steadfast.
What was Nehemiah’s secret? He kept his eyes on God.
“Your focus determines your victory.”
We see this principle again in the New Testament when Peter walked on water. As long as Peter kept his focus on Jesus, he walked over the storm. But the moment he looked at the waves, he began to sink. When challenges come your way, keep your eyes on God and trust that He will see you through.
Earthly Opposition with Spiritual Roots
The story of Nehemiah reminds us that behind every physical challenge, there is often a spiritual battle. Nehemiah’s enemies may have been human, but their actions were spiritually motivated. The same is true for us today.
The story of Daniel in Daniel 10:13 illustrates this clearly. When Daniel prayed, God sent the answer immediately, but the Prince of Persia—a demonic spiritual force—delayed the angel carrying the answer for 21 days. It wasn’t until the archangel Michael intervened that Daniel’s prayer was fully answered.
“Behind physical challenges, there are often unseen spiritual battles.”
This is why prayer is vital. You may not always see the spiritual forces at work, but you can be confident that God hears your prayers and sends help when you call on Him.
My Personal Testimony: Overcoming Spiritual Opposition
I want to share a personal testimony of how God delivered me from spiritual opposition. During my medical training, I encountered a major obstacle. Despite working tirelessly, I couldn’t pass a critical exam required to advance in my career. I studied day and night, but success eluded me.
In frustration, I turned to God through prayer and fasting. During this time, God opened my eyes to the spiritual opposition holding me back. In a vision, I saw myself in a hall filled with people who were celebrating me, yet I wasn’t being served my food. This food symbolized my blessings, and it was being withheld by a spiritual adversary.
Through persistent prayer and fasting, God gave me victory. I passed the exam, and today I stand as a testament to the power of prayer and God’s faithfulness.
“When you pray, you engage heaven’s armies on your behalf.”
Build Your Prayer Wall
One of the most significant lessons from Nehemiah’s story is the importance of building and maintaining a spiritual wall of prayer. Just as the walls of Jerusalem provided physical protection, your prayer life is a spiritual wall that shields you from the enemy’s attacks.
If your prayer life is weak, you create gaps in this wall, leaving yourself vulnerable. But when you pray consistently, you fortify your defenses and invite God’s power into your situation.
“A prayerless Christian is a powerless Christian.”
1 Thessalonians 5:17 reminds us to “pray without ceasing.” Prayer should not be a last resort but a daily habit. Whether you’re driving, cooking, or working, make prayer a part of your routine.
Victory Through Persistence
Nehemiah’s enemies mocked and intimidated him, but he pressed on. The same principle applies to us. No matter the opposition—whether spiritual or physical—you can overcome by standing firm in prayer.
The enemy will try to distract you. When you decide to pray, suddenly you’ll remember bills to pay, errands to run, or meals to cook. These distractions are intentional because the enemy knows that as long as you remain prayerless, you remain powerless.
But here’s the truth: “When you pray, you are empowered.” So arise and rebuild your prayer wall.
A Call to Action
Are you facing mockery, intimidation, or delays in fulfilling your purpose? Are there dreams and visions God has placed on your heart that seem stalled? Don’t give up.
“Do not go to the grave with your dreams unrealized.”
Take bold steps today to bring your God-given vision to life. Seek God in prayer and fasting. Push past distractions and opposition. And trust that the same God who empowered Nehemiah will empower you.
Closing Prayer
Father, I declare that every spiritual and physical opposition against Your children is dismantled in Jesus’ name. Let Your angels arise and fight on their behalf. Empower them to live according to Your purpose and fulfill their destiny. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Inspirational Highlights
- “Your focus determines your victory.”
- “Behind physical challenges, there are often unseen spiritual battles.”
- “A prayerless Christian is a powerless Christian.”
- “When you pray, you engage heaven’s armies on your behalf.”
- “God’s response to opposition is empowerment to overcome.”
- “Do not go to the grave with your dreams unrealized.”
- “Seek God with all your heart, and you will experience restoration and victory.”
Dr. Dotun Oyewole is a pastor, physician, and author of the book Could Be and Should Be: Unlocking Your Inner Strength. He is passionate about helping people live purpose-driven lives rooted in faith and prayer.
