Nothing that is ever done for the Lord will be done without opposition and conflict. The greater the work the greater the opposition. Every great man of God in scripture had enemies. Satan is smart enough not to waste his effort where there is no threat to his program.
But the enemy should never outwit us because we know how he works. [2Corinthians 2:11]
I studied the book of Nehemiah yesterday and found that the enemy intimidated with ridicule. He used violence and built opponents to cause confusion. He caused discouragement and tried getting God's kingdom to compromise. And today I found more …the enemy still attacks using the same tactics and weapons as he did with Adam & Eve, Job, Jesus…etc.I love how Nehemiah dealt with adversity and his opponents. It's simple and powerful. If you read the book of Nehemiah. God had put in Nehemiah's heart to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. How many of us have been injected with a heart and passion for the work of the Lord? I can relate to Nehemiah's heart, passion but also adversity that comes with His greater work.The enemy used Tobiah and Sanballat to ridicule Nehemiah's work. Nehemiah did not acknowledge them, he did not argue. There was no debate, dialogue, verbal retaliation, threats or pleas in defense. His reply was a REBUKE [Nehemiah 4:4-5]. Notice he was only concerned for the Lord's honor and the moral of the workers since it was the Lord's work and their labor. He didn’t take it personal or make it about him. He kept building and had a mind to work. God was glorified and allowed them to make great progress.
Nothing deflates ridicule as quickly as persistence. Nothing demoralizes a fleshly critic more than being ignored.
Nehemiah 4:6 says that they KEPT WORKING, KEPT BUILDING AND CONTINUED TO SET STONES IN PLACE. THEY DID NOT STOP!
There was mockery and discouragement because the wall had been in ruin for years this caused some discouragement within Nehemiah. The higher the wall, the harder it was for them to get to the top - but isn't that the point of a wall? You are most vulnerable at the edge of a victory but Nehemiah continued. A wise man of God will resist to compromise. Nehemiah was able to finish the building of the wall with the help of people that obeyed the word of God. They were in unity and fellowship. They sought refuge in the Lord. Half worked on construction and half held spears & shields. Half labored with one hand and held weapon on other hand.I love that there was a balance."No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the LORD,Isaiah 54:17. Above all, keep on building. No enemy can tear down what God is building. Continue to pray and work for His glory. Don’t give up. Don't compromise and make peace with the enemies of God. Again, you are most vulnerable at the edge of victory. Compromising with evil is the same as defeat. What fellowship has light with darkness? No good can ever come in trying to find a point of agreement or common ground with evil. Nehemiah found no need to come down from building the wall and leave God's work to deal with evil. There's no need to negotiate.
Keep running forward and higher my friends!
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