5 Then Sanballat sent his servant to me as before, the fifth time, with an open letter in his hand. 6 In it was written:
It is reported among the nations, and Geshem says, that you and the Jews plan to rebel; therefore, according to these rumors, you are rebuilding the wall, that you may be their king. 7 And you have also appointed prophets to proclaim concerning you at Jerusalem, saying, “There is a king in Judah!” Now these matters will be reported to the king. So come, therefore, and let us consult together.
8 Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say are being done, but you invent them in your own heart.”
9 For they all were trying to make us afraid, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be done.”
Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.—Nehemiah 6:5-9
Oh, to be as Nehemiah was in the face of opposition! Nehemiah responds boldly and without equivocation to the accusations made by his enemies designed to frighten both him and his people. He outrightly denies the lies, prays to God for strength and goes back to work. He does not give the enemies of God an inch.
Nehemiah, here, reminds me of David facing Goliath and Jesus setting His face like flint to go to Jerusalem and the cross. He doesn’t shrink in fear but goes forward in faith. He doesn’t spend his time defending himself. He doesn’t allow himself to be distracted at all from his God-given task. He simply did what he normally did with everything that came his way. He brought it to God.
9 For they all were trying to make us afraid, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be done.” Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.
Oh Father! Do this work in me! Thank you that You are my strong habitation to which I can continually resort.
14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.—Hebrews 4:14-16
Chalk Pastel by Anna…
