Key Verse: Nehemiah 2:20, “I answered them by saying, “The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.””
Oppositions arise in every ministry. Many leaders fail in this phase of their lives, when they try to please their enemies, than please GOD. As a result, they drift away from the mission and vision GOD had for them. As a Godly leader, one must be confident enough to face critical situations in life, with GOD- given courage.
“But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. “What is this you are doing?” they asked. “Are you rebelling against the king?”” Nehemiah 2:19
To demotivate the leader, the enemy used two different strategies.
a) Mockery and ridicule (scorn): The enemies know well that they can’t put the leader down with threatens or using the forces they had. But, they can destroy the confidence that the leader possesses, he will drop out from his task without any other reason. Many leaders fall out at this point as they don’t want to be a laughing stock before others. Leaders may not fear death or any adventurous or risky tasks in life, but they feel insecure when people laugh at them.
b) Raised Doubts Using Questions: When the enemies failed in the first strategy, they went with the next. They tried to sow seeds of doubt in the leader and the followers. “Are you rebelling against the king?” The enemies were ignorant of the fact that Nehemiah had the permission to fulfill his mission from the king himself.
A matter quite noteworthy is that, both Nehemiah and his people never tried to give clarifications for the enemies’ questions. Sometimes, we need to ignore the scorns and the questions of enemies to go forward in our mission.
Despite having seen the marvelous works of GOD in the past, the enemies focused more on the authorities on the earth. That’s why Nehemiah said, “The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.” (Nehemiah 2:20). They proclaimed that they were on this mission with the LORD’s authority and not with anyone else’s authority and as GOD was with them, nothing could hinder their works. And remember, the enemies will never have any share in the city of the LORD for their name will vanish into thin air.
Practical Living: Be still and praise GOD when enemies arise. GOD will give you the wisdom to speak to them. If we focus on our enemies, we won’t be able to grow. Focus on the mission for which you are called to. Walk in GOD’s strength and faithfully accomplish the task for the glory of the LORD.
