Opposition occurs and we must counter its lies with truth.
Nehemiah faced opposition in the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem upon the Israelites’ return from exile. Their opposition was Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem, and others who lived nearby surrounding Jerusalem. What did the opposition do?
First, they asked Nehemiah to meet them. “But I realized they were plotting to harm me, so I replied by sending this message to them: ‘I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?” (Nehemiah 6:3)
Nehemiah recognized the enemy’s motivations. He understood without knowing details of what they wanted to discuss that stopping the work of rebuilding was the true reason for requesting a meeting with him. The enemy’s plan is to distract us from the Real work God has set before us. To do His will. To follow His course. Don’t be deceived.
Secondly, Sanballat sent an open letter that described how Nehemiah, “and the Jews are planning to rebel and that is why you are building the wall. According to his reports (Geshem), you plan to be their king.” (Nehemiah 6:6-7) The letter stated that Nehemiah should meet with Sanballat because he will send this report of rebellion to the Babylonian king. This small remnant of the Jews in Jerusalem were still under the control of Babylon. Angering Babylon would result in negative consequences for this remnant. Sanballat was hoping to scare Nehemiah into acquiescence.
Nehemiah recognized the enemy’s lies. Nehemiah’s reply: “There is no truth in any part of your story. You are making up the whole thing.” (Nehemiah 6:8) Nehemiah was not rebuilding the wall to rebel, but to extend protection for the Jews because the original walls around Jerusalem had been destroyed and burned in 586 B.C. when Jerusalem fell at the hands of their conqueror, the Babylonians. Nor was Nehemiah interested in becoming king. All lies. The enemy specializes in lies.
Interestingly, Nehemiah also recognized the enemy’s tactics: Discouragement through fear. “They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage and stop the work. So I continued the work with even greater determination.” (Nehemiah 6:10)
Nehemiah was not a man with a faint heart. The efforts of the opposition to stop work on the rebuilding of the walls made Nehemiah even more motivated. To work harder to finish it.
Distractions. Every single effort of the opposition was really to distract Nehemiah and the Jews from their Real purpose. The enemy knows that if we become distracted through deceptions, lies, and intimidation we will be unable to accomplish the goal that God has placed before us. Friends, fix your eyes upon Jesus. Not the distractions that the enemy brings.
What God has called you. He will finish. Don’t get distracted. Continue. With greater determination. Fight on with this greater Truth.