Challenges and opposition from others are a fact of life that we will inevitably encounter. Nehemiah was seeking to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, but he faced significant opposition. We must realize that opposition can be a help to us; an airplane takes off against the wind, not with it. Nehemiah encountered a number of challenges, but a recurring theme was his emphasis on prayer:

But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set up a guard against them day and night. (Nehemiah 4:9)

Nehemiah sought God in prayer and God gave him a plan. Nehemiah did not simply let go and let God, but he took decisive action:

then I stationed men in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, the exposed places, and I stationed the people in families with their swords, spears, and bows. (Nehemiah 4:13)

Prayer is not passivity, but it is listening to God and taking action and accomplishing His will for our lives. Nehemiah was aware of the concerns of the people and instructed them with a specific strategy:

When I saw their fear, I stood and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: “Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.” (Nehemiah 4:14)

Nehemiah’s advice is also helpful to us when we face opposition. First, we must walk by faith and not by fear. When we focus on our fear we take our eyes off God. When our eyes are upon God and we realize His great power, then our problems do not seem overwhelming.

Nehemiah then told the people to fight for their families. We too must fight for our families. There is an incongruity between the values of the world and those of God’s people. We must protect our families – physically, emotionally, and spiritually:

Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. (1 John 2:15-16)

The challenges we face are urgent, the task is difficult, and the time is now. Joshua provided an example for us as he admonished his fellow Israelites, “but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

What is your response when facing opposition? Does it start with prayer? We must receive our marching orders from God, but prayer does not does negate our follow through. We are to demonstrate initiative and step out in faith and fight for what is right. Remember – the roots grow deep when the winds are strong.

Rick Higgins

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark