“But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth, And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it.” Nehemiah 4:7-8.

We can always expect opposition when we seek to accomplish work for the upbuilding of God’s kingdom. The book of Nehemiah gives us several accounts of the enemy’s strategic plans to stop the building of the wall in Jerusalem. God used Nehemiah to guide Judah in rebuilding the city’s walls and in reordering the people’s social and economic lives.

Judah was completely encircled by hostile foreign powers. Nehemiah even found injustices in Judah that delayed the work. The burning of the city over 140 years prior had left rubble and unlikely usable materials for rebuilding the city. Hard labor and inadequate resources would be sources of contention. Things appeared an impossible feat for Judah.

Obviously, this was a source of amusement to the surrounding enemies, but they left one thing out of the equation…God! “And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” Mark 10:27.

As a first act of offense from the enemy, they openly ridiculed the Jews and joked about their efforts. Ridicule can be discouraging, especially when we undertake a difficult task. Nehemiah’s response serves as a guide for dealing with ridicule. He prayed that God would “turn their insults back on their own heads.”

Nehemiah did not argue or defend his calling; he wasn’t seeking vengeance. Instead of fighting back with insults or violence, he handed his anger and hurt over to God. Nehemiah knew that God could bring divine justice and ultimate success for Judah in His own way, and that success alone can silence ridicule.

Immediately after praying, Nehemiah and the people kept building the wall, strategically armed and ready for the fight-until it reached half its height, because they worked with all their hearts. “Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night” (Nehemiah 4:9).

We, too, must stand tall in the face of opposition, trusting in the faithfulness of God to provide all that we need to meet the challenges we face… and when the opposition occurs, as it surely will in life, let us put our faith into action-moving forward on the assurance of Romans 8:37. “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” 

Nehemiah knew the ultimate purposes of those who opposed him to rebuild the wall. We must never deny ourselves the privilege of being used by God for fear of those with hidden agendas who seek to thwart His will; Nehemiah lifted his heart towards heaven for help; likewise, he made strategic plans to carry out the work. 

When we enter upon any service or conflict, we, too, must first go to God in prayer and seek His direction and strength to move forward, even in the face of opposition! “For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.” Nehemiah 6:9.

May God’s blessings and grace be with you all.