Re:Verse passage – Nehemiah 4:1-8 (day two) Now when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repair of the walls of Jerusalem went on, and that the breaches began to be closed, they were very angry. v. 7
There is/was an historic animosity between these people groups. It can be seen playing out in our headlines every day. I don’t want to get into the geopolitical situation that we are experiencing today, but I think we can find parallels to Nehemiah’s story all around us. There will always be people who actively discourage you. It is one of those things like death and taxes that you can count on. How do you deal with those words thrown at you? How do you confront the plot to undermine your work? How can you push forward, when there is such an active force pushing against you? Trust your call. Surround yourself with others who share the vision. Rely on the Lord. Nehemiah knew what was before him was a great task. He was select in whom he trusted with the vision, and he was undeterred by those who were against him. This doesn’t mean it will be easy, but surround yourself with the Lord’s protection, and get to work.