Nehemiah 4

So here's what's interesting.

In Nehemiah's case, the enemy wasn't trying to destroy the

wall.

He was trying to distract the builders.

By the way, you're going to want to watch us on YouTube.

I think people are going to want to watch us on YouTube.

But we hear one thing consistently from listeners, and that is, why are you not talking about Nehemiah more? Great point.

That's what we're hearing.

When there is welfare and shalom for the city, everyone benefits.

And when you see the foundations of our country, the foundations of moral law at stake in our country, then you have to stand up and fight, as Nehemiah said in Nehemiah 4.

When they were rebuilding the wall, which we would consider that more of a political thing, rebuilding the wall so the city could be strong again, the enemy said, we're going to come and fight you and kill you, and you're not going to know when it comes.

Nehemiah said, when I saw their fear, I told them, remember the Lord who is great and awesome and faithful.

I don't remember from memory, but I have a handy-dandy set of notes that kind of give me a breakdown.

So we did talk about Nehemiah 4 through 6.

Essentially, the Jewish people in Nehemiah 4, I believe Jewish people, they had started the progress on the walls of Jerusalem.

They were having some issues with that.

People weren't really feeling what was going on.

Go out and face them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you.

Nehemiah 4.14 After I had made an inspection, I stood up 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 and your daughters, your wives and your homes.

Psalms chapter 18 verse 2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer.

2 Chronicles 20.17 Do not be afraid or discouraged.

Go out and face them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you.

Nehemiah 4, verse 14 After I had made an inspection, I stood up 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 and your daughters, your wives and your homes.

And I know that is a lot of scripture, so I'm going to summarize it very quickly.

But essentially, the story of Nehemiah 4 describes how the Jews faced opposition while rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.

Sambalit and Tobiah mocked the Jews, questioning whether they could actually rebuild the broken walls.

Nehemiah responded by praying to God and continuing the work.

This week, we continue our study in building a better future.

And we're learning from the greatest builder in the Bible, a man named Nehemiah.

There will be people who don't understand what you're trying to do and what you're attempting to do or how you expect to do it in building a better future.

But even if they do understand it, there will be many people who will oppose you.

Their favorite word is no.

And their favorite phrase is you can't do that.

Now, one of the reasons Nehemiah's story of rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem is in the Bible, why it's there.

One of the reasons is to teach us how to effectively handle inevitable opposition when it happens in your life.