When Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem and began rebuilding the walls, he was faced with considerable opposition, particularly from Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab. They “laughed,” “despised,” “mocked” and “conspired” against Nehemiah and the Jews in their rebuilding efforts (Neh. 2:19; 4:1, 8). They tried to trick Nehemiah into working with them and compromising his efforts (6:1-2).
Pay close attention to his reply. Should this not be our words when we face opposition and attempts to get us to compromise? Nehemiah responded, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” (6:3). And wouldn’t you know it, his enemies would not stop. “But they sent me this message four times, and I answered them in the same manner” (6:4).
Our enemy is persistent! May we recognize the GREAT WORK that we have as Christians and not “come down” from it and “cease” what we’re doing when faced with opposition!