Facing Opposition

Much as the builders of the wall in Nehemiah’s day faced intense persecution, Christians today face opposition to their obedience. How we respond to that opposition speaks to our character. Do we run away? Do we lash out? Do we stand firm?

Nehemiah prays in the face of persecution, but his prayer is one we should take notice of. Nehemiah 4:4-5 says “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. Do not cover their guilt or let their sin be erased from Your sight, because they have provoked the builders.”

Now I am sure that there have been times in which you have wanted to pray a prayer like this… I know that there have been times I have wanted to do so as well…

But Nehemiah demonstrates his humanity in these verses. As Spurgeon puts it Nehemiah was not only stern in his words but he seems to mingle in a measure of bitterness in his prayer that we must not imitate.

It is one thing to have a righteous indignation when we see someone working to stop us in our endeavors to build up the church of God, but rather responding in bitterness we should bow our heads and hit our knees and look to Christ’s example on the cross as he cried out “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

See ya Sunday!