Experiencing & Responding to Opposition

In the book of Nehemiah, the people of Israel through the favor of God and initiative of Nehemiah were able to continue rebuilding, renewing, and reforming Jerusalem. I noticed two major realities for us to learn from: What is the goal of opposition against God’s people? How do we respond to opposition as God’s people? 

What is the Goal of Opposition Against God’s People?

1. For Us to Stop the Work God’s Called Us to. (Nehemiah 2:18-19, 4:1-8, 6:1-9)

2. For Us to Be Scared of Our Enemies’ Threats (Nehemiah 6:10-14, 19)

3. For Us to Believe Lies that Will Distract Us (Nehemiah 6:1-9)

4. For Us to Fall into Sin & Destroy Our Witness (Nehemiah 6:10)

How Do We Respond to Opposition as God’s people?

1.  Pray for Strength & for Justice (Nehemiah 6:9, 6:14)

Nehemiah responded in prayer, “But now, my God, strengthen my hands.” and “My God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat for what they have done, and also the prophetess Noadiah and the other prophets who wanted to intimidate me.”

2.  Bold Endurance in the Face of Threats (Nehemiah 4:14-15)

Nehemiah responded by saying to the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the great and awe-inspiring Lord, and fight for your countrymen, your sons and daughters, your wives and homes.”

3. Discernment to Avoid Lies (Nehemiah 6:8-9)

Nehemiah responded, “There is nothing to these rumors you are spreading; you are inventing them in your own mind.” For they were all trying to intimidate us, saying, “They will drop their hands from the work, and it will never be finished.”

4. Refusal to Be Lured into Sin (Nehemiah 6:11-13)

Nehemiah responded, “Should a man like me run away? How can someone like me enter the temple and live? I will not go. I realized that God had not sent him, because of the prophecy he spoke against me. Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. He was hired, so that I would be intimidated, do as he suggested, sin, and get a bad reputation, in order that they could discredit me.”

Why is this important for us to think about? It is necessary for us as a church in transition that is reforming, rebuilding, and renewing as we await our next pastor to look at what Nehemiah and the people of God experienced in this process as well as how they responded to it so that we can keep our hands to the plow and our hands be strengthened!

Love you church!  - Pastor John