When the Enemies Come
“But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.” (Nehemiah 4:1)
While the devil is the chief enemy, he has always employed humans to oppose the work of God. Nehemiah was given a monumental task, and he was met with vigorous opposition. I question someone who is serving the Lord and has no opposition. Throughout the centuries, representatives of evil have always opposed the servants of good.
Nehemiah was tasked with rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. They were in utter ruin. Instead of being faithless and lazy, he took up the challenge and began the work. Soon thereafter, he faced opposition from Sanballat and his cronies.
They resorted to mockery. “What do these feeble Jews? Will they fortify themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they make an end in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?” (Nehemiah 4:2). When the progress continued, Sanballat conspired to get more people to oppose Israel.
How did Nehemiah and the Israelites rebuild the wall in 52 days without the help of cranes and modern equipment? How did he maintain the mental focus and physical strength to do the demanding work?
He recognized their opposition. Nehemiah told the Lord, “We are despised” (verse 4). While it is a mistake to stop your work because of your opposition, it is also a mistake to act as if they do not exist. Ignoring problems usually leads to bigger ones in the future. If you are facing opposition in your ministry, it is okay to acknowledge that opposition to the Lord. As a matter of fact, it is essential that you do so.
He prayed for God to expose his opposition and to defeat them. “Turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity: And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee: for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders” (verses 4-5). Instead of devoting his energies to anti-smear campaigns and political maneuvering, Nehemiah trusted the Lord to confound his enemies while he kept building the wall.
He stayed on the wall. “So built we the wall” (verse 6). Enemies may sometimes slow the work, but never let them stop it. Leaders can sometimes be paralyzed by criticism and unkind words. As a result, the task that God has given is at best delayed and at worst destroyed.
He encouraged those around him to keep working. “For the people had a mind to work” (verse 6). Nehemiah not only deflected the criticism he received, but he also inspired those around him to keep building the wall. This is one of the hardest tasks of leadership. This can only happen when the leader depends on God and focuses on the task at hand.
Sanballats and Tobiahs today take the form of unruly neighbors, jaded government officials, disillusioned former church members, and scoffers. Just remember that God’s work has always had opposition. Whatever your task, be like Nehemiah.