Standing Firm Against Opposition: A Study From Nehemiah 4-6

After the return of the exiled Jews in 444 BC, Sanballat heard that the Jews were building the wall around Jerusalem. He said, What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish and burned ones at that”?  Tobia said, “ Yes, what they are building, if a fox goes up on it, he will break down their stone wall”(Nehemiah 4:1-3).

” So, we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.(Nehemiah 4:6).

The opposition became very angry again, but Nehemiah and his construction crew prayed “To our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night”(Nehemiah 4:9).

The workers on the wall were even being threatened with an evil conspiracy, so Nehemiah said, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes”(Nehemiah 4:14).

“When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work”(Nehemiah 4:15-18), and armed themselves while working.

Later, Sanballat wanted the workers on the wall to meet him at a place, but Nehemiah said, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you”Nehemiah 6:3).

The wall was finished in 52 days! “When all our enemies heard of it all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God” (Nehemiah 6:15-16).

The wall was finished because people had a mind to work, and no amount of opposition, threats, evil plots, conspiracies, or insults stopped them. They did what was needed to be done and boldly stood firm with determination and focus.

Is there anything that needs to be done in your family, church, or community, regardless of the opposition? It may not be a building project, but it might be more relational. Does there need to be reconciliation with another person?  Having a difficult conversation?  Standing up for a falsely accused person? Making friends with someone who no one else wants to be friends with? Or forgiving someone who no one else wants to forgive?

Stand firm for the work of God and his righteousness. Do the right thing in any and all circumstances, no matter the opposition, and don’t let the ploys of the opposition scare you or distract you from what needs to be done.