Standing Firm in the Face of Opposition
Text: Nehemiah 4:1-23
As we seek to advance God’s kingdom and fulfill His purposes, we will inevitably face opposition. The enemy does not sit idly by when God’s work is being done. But today, we learn from the story of Nehemiah and the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls how to stand firm in the face of opposition. Let us draw strength and wisdom from this powerful example.
1. Opposition to God’s Work (Nehemiah 4:1)
“When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews.” (Nehemiah 4:1).
Whenever there is a work of God, there will be opposition. Sanballat and Tobiah represent the forces that seek to hinder God’s plans. They used mockery and intimidation to try to discourage Nehemiah and the people.
The enemy still uses these tactics today. He tries to make us doubt God’s calling, question our abilities, and fear failure. But we must remember that opposition is a sign that we are doing something significant for God. Let us not be surprised by it but prepared to stand firm.
2. Demoralization of God’s Servants (Nehemiah 4:2)
Sanballat mocked the workers, saying, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day?” (Nehemiah 4:2).
The enemy’s goal is to demoralize us, to make us feel weak and inadequate. He attacks our identity and our faith, trying to undermine our confidence in God.
But we must not let his words define us. Our strength and identity come from the Lord. When the enemy whispers lies, we must counter them with God’s truth: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13).
3. The Response to Opposition: Prayer and Trust in God (Nehemiah 4:4)
Nehemiah did not retaliate with words or violence. Instead, he prayed, “Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads.” (Nehemiah 4:4).
Prayer is our greatest weapon against opposition. It shifts our focus from the problem to the Problem-Solver. When we bring our struggles to God, He fights for us. Let us respond to spiritual attacks with prayer, not fear.
4. The Work Continued Despite Criticism (Nehemiah 4:6)
“So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.” (Nehemiah 4:6).
Despite the mockery and threats, the people continued to work. Their determination and unity allowed God’s work to advance.
When we face criticism or opposition, we must not stop. God’s work is too important to be derailed by distractions. Let us press on, knowing that He is with us and that His purposes will prevail.
5. The Enemy Plans to Attack When the Work Advances (Nehemiah 4:7)
“But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry.” (Nehemiah 4:7).
The enemy’s resistance increases when God’s work advances. This is a sign that we are making progress. But we must remain vigilant and dependent on God.
Our response to increased opposition should not be fear but faith. Let us trust in God’s protection and continue to move forward.
6. The Strategy Against Attacks: Watch and Pray (Nehemiah 4:9)
“But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.” (Nehemiah 4:9).
Prayer must be accompanied by action. Nehemiah and the people prayed, but they also prepared for battle.
As Christians, we must be spiritually vigilant. We pray, but we also put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). Let us not be passive but proactive in defending ourselves and God’s work.
7. Weariness and Doubt Can Be Our Enemies (Nehemiah 4:10)
“Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, ‘The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.’” (Nehemiah 4:10).
Discouragement can come from within. When we focus on the difficulties instead of trusting in God, we become weak.
Let us guard our hearts against weariness and doubt. Remember, God is our strength and our provider. When we feel overwhelmed, let us turn to Him for renewal.
8. God Fights for Us When We Remain Firm (Nehemiah 4:14)
Nehemiah encouraged the people, saying, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” (Nehemiah 4:14).
When we stand firm in faith, God fights for us. Our role is to trust Him and take courage. Let us remember His greatness and His promises, and let them fuel our perseverance.
9. Working with One Hand and Fighting with the Other (Nehemiah 4:17)
“Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other.” (Nehemiah 4:17).
Rebuilding required both effort and vigilance. Similarly, as Christians, we must work for God’s kingdom while protecting ourselves spiritually.
Let us balance our service with spiritual vigilance, always ready to defend against the enemy’s attacks.
10. Teamwork and Perseverance in God’s Work (Nehemiah 4:21)
“So we continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out.” (Nehemiah 4:21).
Perseverance and unity were essential to the success of the rebuilding. In the Kingdom of God, we need each other to advance and win spiritual battles.
Let us stand together, supporting and encouraging one another. Together, we can overcome any opposition and accomplish God’s purposes.
- Sermon on Not Giving Up
- Sermon on Nicodemus: Let Us Seek the Truth
- Sermon on Jesus' Ministry Begins Mark 1
Conclusion
Opposition is inevitable when we are doing God’s work. But we can stand firm by praying, trusting in God, and remaining vigilant. Let us not be discouraged by mockery, threats, or weariness. Instead, let us remember that God fights for us and that His work will prevail.
May we, like Nehemiah and the people of Judah, work with courage, unity, and perseverance, knowing that our labor in the Lord is not in vain.
