“But they were scheming to harm me; 3 so I sent messengers to them with this reply: ‘I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?’ 4 Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer.5 Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his assistant to me with the same message, and in his hand was an unsealed letter 6 in which was written:‘It is reported among the nations – and Geshem says it is true – that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall. Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king” NIV

This passage reminds me of when Jesus was being tempted. Following his stiff resistance of all the devil’s temptations in the wilderness, the Biblical record says: ‘’When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time’’ (Luke 4:17).

He didn’t leave him for good. Like an unwanted door-to-door salesman, whom you may dismiss with a flea in his ear, Satan will be back, ringing that bell, hammering on that knocker, more times than you would care to mention. Certainly, more times than you would want.

It is not only the subtlety of temptation that can find a way through your defences; it is its sheer persistence that can wear you down.

Thank God, the Champion, Jesus, lives in each one of His people, and this makes supernatural victory possible.

‘And would’st thou know the secret of constant victory?

Let in the Overcomer and He will conquer thee.’