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Rebuilding in the Face of Opposition

When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, 2 and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?” 3 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, “What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!”

4 Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. 5 Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders. 6 So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.

7 But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. 8 They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. 9 But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.

10 Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.” 11 Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.” 12 Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.” 13 Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. 14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”

15 When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to our own work. 16 From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah 17 who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, 18 and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me.

19 Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. 20 Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!” 21 So we continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out. 22 At that time I also said to the people, “Have every man and his helper stay inside Jerusalem at night, so they can serve us as guards by night and as workers by day.” 23 Neither I nor my brothers nor my men nor the guards with me took off our clothes; each had his weapon, even when he went for water. NEHEMIAH 4 NIV

REBUILDING MY LIFE WILL BRING OPPOSITION AND DISCOURAGEMENT

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. EPHESIANS 6:12 NLT

Whose voice do you hear when you fail? Whose words are you repeating?

HOW DO WE RESPOND TO OPPOSITION AND DISCOURAGEMENT?

PRAYER AND PREPARATION

The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord. PROVERBS 21:31 NIV

REMEMBER THE LORD

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 4 In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? PSALM 56:3-4 NIV

RETURN TO THE WORK BECAUSE GOD ISN’T DONE YET

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 CORINTHIANS 15:56-58 NIV

What has discouragement been trying to convince you to stop rebuilding?

My Notes

Discussion Questions

Use the following questions to reflect on the sermon. Choose a couple from each section to discuss as a group:

  1. START HERE: Everyone faces setbacks. What have you stuck with even when it got harder than expected? What helped you keep going?
  2. START HERE: When you're discouraged or criticized, are you more likely to push harder, pull back, or ask for help? What usually influences that response?
  3. KEEP GOING: Read Nehemiah 4:1-9 NIV. What stands out to you about how Nehemiah and the people responded to opposition and discouragement? What can you learn from their example?
  4. KEEP GOING: Read Nehemiah 4:10-23 NIV. Nehemiah asked the people to "remember the Lord" before returning to the work (v. 14-15). When have fear, criticism, or discouragement made it hard for you to trust God or move forward? What has or would help you remember the Lord in that situation?
  5. KEEP GOING: Read Ephesians 6:12 NLT and consider "Whose voice do you hear when you fail? Whose words are you repeating?" How have discouraging voices—whether your own, others, or the enemy—shaped the way you see yourself or what God is calling you to do? What truth from God could you believe instead?
  6. KEEP GOING: Read Psalm 56:3-4 NIV and 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 NIV. What do these passages tell you about God and why your work for Him is never wasted? How does that give you courage to begin or keep rebuilding?
  7. LIVE IT OUT: What rebuilding has discouragement been trying to convince you to stop? What specific step can you take to return to the work God has put in front of you? Who might be encouraged to see your faithfulness?