Building Against Opposition
Nevertheless, we made our prayer to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night. - Nehemiah 4:9
It is not about how you start your work. It is whether you finish and how you finish that is important. One of the greatest tests of character and one of the greatest tests of leadership is: How do you handle opposition and criticism.
We are studying the Book of Nehemiah and as you know, Nehemiah for the first several chapters is in the construction business. He is leading the charge to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem. We are all also, like Nehemiah, in the construction business. Everyone is trying to build something, whether it is a marriage, a life, a business, or a family. Every time you start building, it is like a battle.
God is also in the construction business, but the devil is always trying to tear down His workmanship. The wrecking ball the devil uses the most is “criticism”. As children of God, regardless of what you do, you are going to be criticized. When you do what God wants you to do, you will face criticism. Nehemiah faced this problem in the 4th chapter.
I. Size up the Opposition
Some people are "born again" and some people are "born against." There are people whose sole goal in life is to criticize, to tear down, and to oppose others. "Evil people are restless unless they're making trouble; they can't get a good night's sleep unless they've made life miserable for somebody." (Proverbs 4:16, MSG)
Opposition is a fact of life. Yes, there will be times in your life where you are going to be criticized, no matter how good your idea might be, no matter how hard you try to please everybody. But there are two things to remember about criticism that will help you deal with it.
a. Criticism Is Condescending
Nehemiah and the people of Jerusalem started building the wall when the thunder storm of criticism came their way. When Sanballat heard that the people of Jerusalem were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and mocked the Jews. “He spoke before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, "What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Will they revive the stones from the heaps of rubbish – stones that are burned? Now Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, "Whatever they build, if even a fox goes up on it, he will break down their stone wall." (Nehemiah 4:2-3)
The devil is always looking to insult God's Work, God’s Word, and God's Workers. They will ridicule you. Ridicules are a very effective weapon. It is much easier for others to yell at us and laugh at us. Critics love to substitute ridicule for reason and laughter for logic.
In chapter 4, these critics were the opposition for Nehemiah. They questioned everything about the Jewish workers. They questioned their character calling them "feeble Jews." They questioned their commitment asking, "Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Will they revive the stones from the heaps of rubbish – stones that are burned?"(Nehemiah 4:2) They even questioned their competence. Tobias says in verse 3, “if even a fox goes up on it, he will break down their stone wall.” (Nehemiah 4:3)
Criticism can hurt us, but it can never harm us unless we allow it into our system and poison us.
b. Criticism Is Contagious
Criticism is like cancer. Cancer in one organ can infect another organ. Cancer in one part of the body can infect another part of the body and so can criticism.
“Now it happened, when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the walls of Jerusalem were being restored and the gaps were beginning to be closed, that they became very angry, and all of them conspired together to come and attack Jerusalem and create confusion.” (Nehemiah 4:7-8)
Criticism can spread. Negative people always attract each other. These negative people love another weapon called - rumors. There is no bigger tool in the hands of a critic, than a rumor. It is difficult to fight rumors. But know, dear brothers and sisters, before you can take on your opposition, you must size up your opposition. Nehemiah understood that criticism is both condescending and contagious. But instead of letting negativity poison your soul, you must arise to seize every opportunity God provides.
II. Seize the Opportunity
We all may face a time where we encounter opposition. The question is – how do you respond to it? Nehemiah did not react to the criticism.
Don't react to criticism, but also don't retaliate against criticism. But continue to do the Lord’s work with a strong and faithful heart. David Brinkley, the television journalist once said, "A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him." That is exactly what Nehemiah was able to do. I want to give you two practical steps on how to deal with opposition and criticism.
a. Be Prayerful
"Hear, O our God, for we are despised; turn their reproach on their own heads, and give them as plunder to a land of captivity! Do not cover their iniquity, and do not let their sin be blotted out from before You; for they have provoked You to anger before the builders." (Nehemiah 4:4-5)
The very first thing Nehemiah did, was take the criticism directly to the Lord. That is the wonderful thing about our Heavenly Father – He is always available to let us and listens to the sorrows of our heart. The real danger of opposition and criticism is, when we begin to focus too much on the opposition instead of focusing on the work that God has called us to do. Do not focus on the negative power of your opposition and forget the almighty power of God.
Nehemiah cries out in verse 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.’" (Nehemiah 4:14)
God does not want us to remember our defeats; He wants us to remember our victories. That is why prayer is so important, because when you pray, you change your focus. You will be able to take your eyes off of the opposition, and put it back on the Lord. When you pray, God helps to keep you above the opposition. It is important to be prayerful.
b. Be Persistent
"So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. (Nehemiah 4:6)
The most dangerous part of a work, is when it is half done? This was a critical time in which the people of Jerusalem had to rebuild their wall. But they were only able to complete half the wall. Sometimes, the most discouraging part of a job is when it is only half done. This can allow discouragement to set in.
But opposition and criticism never stop, so discouragement can weaken your faith and spiritual soul when battling against opposition.
"When our enemies heard that we knew of their plans and that God had frustrated them, we all returned to our work on the wall." (Nehemiah 4:15, NLT)
But understand, dear brothers and sisters, never let your spirit be weakened by discouragement. Be persistent. The only way the opposition will win is if you quit. The devil's two favorite words are these: "Give up." Is the devil tempting you right now to give up? To give up on an idea? To give up on your vision? To give up on reading the Bible? To give up on making time for God?
You are never defeated in anything until you give up. Nothing can defeat persistence. Therefore, strengthen your soul and spirit with the Word of God. Strengthen your soul and mind so that the words of the opposition does not affect you.
Conclusion
God has given you an opportunity, not just to build a church for His glory, but an opportunity for Him to build you for His glory. Just as Nehemiah was giving the call to build the walls of Jerusalem, each of you also have a calling. But know that it is easier to quit than to commit. Do not listen to the words and criticism of your opposition and focus on the word of God.
Seize the opportunities that God has given to you and never give up. God has called you to finish your work. Because, the reason why you can go to heaven is because God finished His work. "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 (Philippians 1:6)
And know that our Lord and Savior faced many forces of opposition. What God started on the cross two thousand years ago, He continues to finish it in heaven for all eternity. Just as God is faithful to us, let us be faithful to Him in whatever He has called us to do and finish the work He has called us to do. Amen.
