When Facing Opposition

Nehemiah 4 When Facing Opposition

This afternoon is Super Bowl 58. I’m not much of a sports fan, and don’t really care to watch games, but in years past Gladys and I have watched some of them just to see the commercials.

This year there is something different though. Sarah Thomas will become the first woman to referee a Super Bowl. She is expected to do well, because women are really good at pointing out what men do wrong.

Anyway, if you are in to such things, notice what happens when a player is hit by the opposing team. Does he sit down and quit? Does he run away? Does he throw down the ball, say it’s too hard, and run back to the huddle? No! He keeps pressing on. He tries to accomplish all he can in spite of the opposition.

There will always be opposition, but those who are successful face that opposition and continue to press on. It has been said, that the true measure of a man is seeing what it takes to make him quit.

In Nehemiah 4, we find an example of a man who faced opposition when he pursued a God-given task, but who would not let that opposition stop him from accomplishing what God had called him to do.

- Read Nehemiah 4:1-23

In verse 1 we are told that when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, that he became furious. One would think that seeing this small band of people succeeding in a massive building project would cause folks to get excited or maybe even inspired. But, no. Sanballat became furious. Why? What prompted the opposition?

I believe it was a couple of things. First, he was upset because there was change. You see, the heart of a habitual critic resists change. To him, change is a threat.

In any organization, those who are the most critical of change are those who are the most inflexible. They resist change and they become especially suspicious of change that leads to progress and growth.

Second, he was concerned that a restored Jerusalem would lessen his influence in the area. How many organizations have faced criticism and opposition simply because those in power are concerned about changes or are concerned that they will lose some of their power or some of their influence.

How many churches, how many Christian organizations are ham strung for those very reasons?

I know a church in our area that was never able to really grow until there was a funeral or two in the church. Every time a preacher would come in and start visiting and such and the church would begin to grow, some of the leadership in the church would cause issues until that preacher left and the church shrank back to its earlier size.

Some people hate change, and especially if that change means that they might lose some power or influence.

We need to remember also, that anger will often be the world’s response to God’s work, because it challenges world views and values.

Jesus said, “I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” He did not say He would build His church and that there would not be any gates to tear down, or that there would not be any opposition. Any time you’re moving into an area where the devil has run rampant, there’s going to be opposition. Any time you’re trying to share or witness to someone who has been a part of the Devil’s kingdom, there’s going to be opposition.

Now, let me remind you, we can’t shrug off all criticism. We can’t ignore every bit of opposition. None of us are right all the time. There may be some kernel of truth in that person’s criticism, so examine what they say, think about it, pray about it. If there is truth in what has been said, then address that truth, make necessary changes, but don’t let act stop you.

Nehemiah looked at the opposition before him and saw that this was nothing but a campaign of ridicule. Sanballat was mocking the builders. There was no constructive criticism here. It was just godless opposition. Notice what Sanballat said.

- Read verse 2

1. What are these pathetic Jews doing? - Sure, the Jews were few in number. They were attempting a large project, larger than most would think they could ever accomplish, but you’re to stoop to name calling.

You can often tell the heart of the opposition but looking at the words they are using and the way they are opposing. When they stoop to character assignation, and name calling, and they use no facts, their heart is not in the right place. They are not viewing or commenting from a place of concern.