June 12, 2023

Nehemiah 4:1-4 (HCSB)
Progress in Spite of Opposition 
4  When Sanballat  heard that we were rebuilding the wall,  he became furious. He mocked the Jews  2 before his colleagues and the powerful men  of Samaria,  and said, “What are these pathetic Jews doing? Can they restore it by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they ever finish it? Can they bring these burnt stones  back to life from the mounds of rubble?”  3 Then Tobiah the Ammonite,  who was beside him, said, “Indeed, even if a fox  climbed up what they are building, he would break down their stone wall!” 4 Listen, our God, for we are despised. Make their insults return on their own heads and let them be taken as plunder to a land of captivity. 5 Do not cover their guilt or let their sin be erased from Your sight, because they have provoked  the builders.

Casey Morton
When Sanballat hears that the walls of Jerusalem were being rebuilt, he becomes furious and mocks the people (pathetic Jews), their plan (will they ever finish it), and even their materials (bringing burnt stones back to life from mounds of rubble). Nehemiah did not debate his critics or respond to their verbal attack. He took the matter to the Lord in prayer. But he did more than pray; he persevered and encouraged his people until the wall was built to half of its height!! When the critics heard of this, they increased their opposition to the rebuild. Once again, Nehemiah goes to the Lord with prayer (v9). How many times do we try to take care of things ourselves or confront our problems/adversaries on our own when God is always there and always has the right answer for us? Prayer should always be our first response, not our last!!