Read Nehemiah 3-4
Verse chosen for meditation: Nehemiah 4:14 ESV:
And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “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.”
Reflect
What is it about rebuilding that makes it both compelling and challenging?
In any God - given task, should oppositions be expected or not? If so, what forms can an opposition take? And what do they all seek to do?
Where do you think is the most critical point - at the start, in the middle, or toward the end of an assignment?
How do you think oppositions should be handled from studying the passage?
Relate
The book of Nehemiah is my go - to for a study on rebuilding, unity and handling oppositions. And I don't think I am speaking only for myself.
In the two chapters covered today, we get to see the three aspects mentioned above.
From the very first chapter, we’ve also learned that Nehemiah was emotionally and spiritually stirred into action to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, which had been left in ruins since the Babylonian siege. His deep longing for the city, which had become a shadow of its past, led him to do what needed to be done during this post - exilic phase of Israel's history. But it cannot be nostalgia alone that took hold of him, it had to be his keen sense of purpose. For nostalgia could be abandoned anytime, not purpose.
In the same vein, the Lord is not looking for any fly - by - night operator for any of his tasks. If the slightest obstacle or provocation should send a chill to the heart, then he or she is not the right person for the job. For nowhere does it say that a God - given task guarantees ease. If that is the case, chances are it would not be of any critical significance.
But whatever it is, the assurance still holds that nothing will stand in the way of a God - given task. For with God, there is simply no contest. Having said that, there should still remain that mindfulness that carrying out his tasks calls for greater perseverance, courage and singleness of mind, not less.
In other words, even though a God - given task is a clear shoo - in, it's not meant for the faint hearted and double minded. That would have been disastrous in this setting. Imagine the ridicule, taunt, discouragement, and physical threat. Any man or woman of a lesser moral fibre would have caved in to the pressure tactics of the opposition.
Lastly, the last line of defence would have to be the morale of its people. For all that the opposition hopes to do is to derail the progress of their work by inciting internal conflicts, creating disunity, causing confusion and dampening the spirits of the people. Working in favour of the people at any time, more so in such critical moments, is the forging of a strong bond, knowing that they're doing it for themselves, their families and their friends.
In most of these cases, the halfway mark will be the make - or - break point. From here, the direction could go either way, or take on an altogether different course. This is usually also the time for regrouping and recalibration.
Projects nearing completion, conversely, would usually meet with lesser resistance and confusion unless forced by circumstances such as being mired in controversy or financial woes. At this point, spirits are naturally buoyed too by the mere thought and anticipation of the completion.
In recounting the story, credit should not all go to Nehemiah alone or even the men. Prayer played a vital role in its overall success, securing Nehemiah not one, but two favours from the Persian king whom he served as a cup bearer. God also continued his
watch over the entire assignment by showering grace and blessing where required. Sadly, this is often only appreciated in hindsight, if at all.
For such cases, God only needs a prayerful, thoughtful, manful and faithful man like Nehemiah to do his bidding.
Whoever then opposes any one of his men or women is opposing him. For it is said: "No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me, declares the Lord." (Isaiah 54: 17)
Rest
Lord, thank you for choosing and assigning us. Whatever the role or task is, may we align it with your purpose. And trust that as long as it is your plan, it will not be thwarted. Also grant us the prayerfulness, perseverance, courage and faithfulness to see it through to the end.
Naville Chia
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