There will be opposition

V1-3 In our walk of faith, we will meet with opposition. Like Sanballat, people may be furious and very indignant with us, may mock us, question us or taunt us. Whether when we are preaching or practising our faith, people may see us doing so and have things to say about us, to discourage us, or maybe because they really do not understand why we have faith.

While there is external opposition, there is internal opposition too. As we strive to become a new man and in our fight with the old man, there is opposition from our flesh too. However, we see what Nehemiah did in V13. 13 Therefore I positioned men behind the lower parts of the wall, at the openings; and I set the people according to their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. This was because in V12, ‘12 So it was, when the Jews who dwelt near them came, that they told us ten times, “From whatever place you turn, they will be upon us.” ’

Nehemiah positioned men at specific locations so that they would be prepared to defend and attack if the enemies came. This means that they were prepared and allocated manpower, defence and protection to those places respectively. Similarly, when we know where our weak spots and blind spots lie, and the parts that need more attention and guarding, then we can allocate more care and attention or specifically work on or mend those parts.

V12 reminds me that we have to 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

The Church is one body so there will be times when attention is needed more in a certain part. For example, some brethren may need our prayers and care when they are going through a rough patch in their faith, so in a sense, we also have to allocate manpower and care and mend that part of the body with more love, prayers and compassion.

Work with the Lord.

V6 “for the people had a mind to work”. The people made a lot of progress building because they had a mind to work. If we want to grow and make progress in our faith and change from the old man to the new man, we will need to want to change and we will need God to help us.

We cannot have one without the other. God can help us, but if we do not even want to change, then that would not work. If we know we should change but do not want to change, we can ask God to help us to want to change.

However, if we want to change yet do not rely on God, it is very tough to become a new man and remain a new man. It may be alright but only for a while because the change would not be long-lasting.

V9 “set a watch against them day and night”. We need to be watchful and vigilant.

Call out to God.

V4-5 When going through tough times in our faith, we need to remember to rely on God for help, and not on ourselves because Matthew 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

We must also remain courageous and not give up. Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

We need to continue praying in and through tough situations because we need strength from God. Prayer is also when we are in direct communication with God and is one of the ways we can experience God’s presence in our lives. When we experience hardships in our daily lives, and sufferings when the great tribulation comes, we must remember that the sufferings we endure for the Lord Jesus Christ will be worth it in the end.

1 Peter 5:9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,

As soldiers of Christ, we will have to fight battles and wars that will be painful and tough, but let us take the encouragement from Nehemiah:

14 And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”

Philippians 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

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