Nehemiah 6:14
As we have been studying in the sermon series, Nehemiah had returned to Jerusalem, burdened to rebuild the walls that had been neglected and destroyed. We also know that all three of these individuals in this passage actively worked against Nehemiah’s efforts. They, of course, ultimately failed. But they did add “challenge” to his efforts. Nonetheless, Nehemiah was resolute in rebuilding the wall. I think all of us could say that at some point in our lives, we have faced opposition. And when we do, we have one of two options: face it or flee it. Sometimes that opposition is subtle. A whisper behind your back, or a false accusation. And in today’s social media environment, it doesn’t take long for things to go viral, and before you can even respond, you have been found guilty and given a sentence. Other times, the opposition is more in your face, sometimes even in the form of physical violence. I’ll be honest, when I have faced opposition, the flesh has wondered (and wanted) to ask God to smite that individual or those individuals. I’m that human. But then I am reminded that it is not for me to exact revenge. Justice will come in the end. It may not happen in my timing, but that’s okay because God’s timing is always perfect. And justice may not come in the way I think it should. But that’s okay, too, because God is perfect in carrying out His will in my life. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us to pray for our enemies. Luke 6:27-28 tells us to love our enemies, to do good to those who hate us, and again, to pray for them. God is a just God, and His justice will prevail…always. Nehemiah asked God to remember Tobiah, Sanballat, and Noahdiah. They did do Nehemiah wrong, but by giving it over to God, he is acknowledging who God is. Be encouraged. Let go. Let God.
As we have been studying in the sermon series, Nehemiah had returned to Jerusalem, burdened to rebuild the walls that had been neglected and destroyed. We also know that all three of these individuals in this passage actively worked against Nehemiah’s efforts. They, of course, ultimately failed. But they did add “challenge” to his efforts. Nonetheless, Nehemiah was resolute in rebuilding the wall. I think all of us could say that at some point in our lives, we have faced opposition. And when we do, we have one of two options: face it or flee it. Sometimes that opposition is subtle. A whisper behind your back, or a false accusation. And in today’s social media environment, it doesn’t take long for things to go viral, and before you can even respond, you have been found guilty and given a sentence. Other times, the opposition is more in your face, sometimes even in the form of physical violence. I’ll be honest, when I have faced opposition, the flesh has wondered (and wanted) to ask God to smite that individual or those individuals. I’m that human. But then I am reminded that it is not for me to exact revenge. Justice will come in the end. It may not happen in my timing, but that’s okay because God’s timing is always perfect. And justice may not come in the way I think it should. But that’s okay, too, because God is perfect in carrying out His will in my life. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us to pray for our enemies. Luke 6:27-28 tells us to love our enemies, to do good to those who hate us, and again, to pray for them. God is a just God, and His justice will prevail…always. Nehemiah asked God to remember Tobiah, Sanballat, and Noahdiah. They did do Nehemiah wrong, but by giving it over to God, he is acknowledging who God is. Be encouraged. Let go. Let God.