Nehemiah 4 introduces us to the factor of oppposition--an unwelcome visitor. The children of Israel have responded to Nehemiah's call to rbeuild the wall so they will "no longer be in disgrace" and they have responded with a will to do the work (2:17,18).
Their determination to rebuild the walls incenses the enemy and he mocks them by attacking them verbally. The spirit of what he says has the air of ridicule and sarcasm and aims at the heart of the people (see 4:1-3).
The enemy questions their strength, their salvation, their spirit, their stamina, their substance, and their success (sermon notes available through GRACE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH). It is easy to see how he does the same with us for once we have announced our resolve to obey God and to serve Him, the enemy appears on the scene to thwart our progress.
James acknowledges this and challenges us in 1:2-4, "Consider it pure joy...whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
The children of Israel completed the walls, in spite of heightened opposition, as recorded later in chapter 4. What will this week's chapter of your life reveal about your faithfulnes to the task in the face of opposition?
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