Nehemiah: Rise and Build

Sunday, February 18, 2024

Nehemiah 4

Introduction

Life Brings Opposition, We must Pray, Fight, Resist and Trust to Overcome

1. When Opposition Comes

“When God’s people attempt to do God’s work in God’s way, there will always be opposition.” John MacArthur

Where does this opposition come from?

When opposition manifest itself through circumstances or other people, we must remind ourselves that the real opposition we face is spiritual.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over the present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12

Sometimes it comes from the outside!

It can come from those that don’t know you well or want to try and stop the work of God. It comes in the form of lying (v2), mocking (v3) and bringing threats (v11).

John 16:33 – Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation…”

Sometimes it comes from the inside!

v.6 – “…for the people had a mind to work.”

James 1:2-4 – “Count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds…”

In Nehemiah’s case and many times our own, it can be of exhaustion (v10a) and the reality of the project (v10b). Other times it is discouragement (v11) because their families are being harassed and threaten.

Discouragement can sometimes bring depression and these two things ALWAYS distorts reality. They throw everything out of perspective!

1. Overcoming Opposition

Nehemiah as the leader LEADS the people through this opposition. He tells them and leads them through three things.

v.9 – “And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.” And v.20 – “…our God will fight for us.”

• Nehemiah does is pray!

“Life is tough at times and however much we pray; its trouble can increase rather than decrease. Prayer is not a convenient device for removing life’s problems but a loving God’s provision for coping with them.” R. Brown

Jesus taught the disciples to pray – “And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.”

“We prepare for spiritual warfare not by focusing on the devil and his forces, but by stressing the core aspects of Christian faith. Once we have prepared ourselves with the armor…we fight by praying!” Dr. Ronald Bernier

• Nehemiah does is ‘set a guard!’

“praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance…” Ephesians 6:18

“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2

• Nehemiah tells the people to ‘remember God!’ v.14

“To trust God in times of adversity is admittedly a hard thing to do… Trusting God is a matter of faith, and faith is the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Only the Holy Spirit can make His Word come alive in our hearts and create faith, but we can choose to look to Him to do that, or we can choose to be ruled by our feelings of anxiety or resentment or grief.”  Jerry Bridges

“Submit yourself therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

We must fight, resist, persevere and move forward in faith when opposition comes.

“Perseverance is the quality of character that enables one to pursue a goal in spite of obstacles and difficulties. It is one thing to simply bear up under adversity. This in itself is commendable. But God calls us to do more than simply bear the load of adversity. He calls us to persevere (to press forward) in the face of it.” Jerry Bridges

“Though perseverance is developed in the crucible of adversity, it is energized by faith.”  Jerry Bridges

• Conclusion