Faith To Build: When Opposition Comes

March 5th, 2023 | Casey Middle School

Passage: Nehemiah 6:1-9 CSB

When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and that no gap was left in it—though at that time I had not installed the doors in the city gates— 2 Sanballat and Geshemsent me a message: “Come, let’s meet together in the villages of the Ono Valley.” They were planning to harm me. 3 So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing important work and cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” 4 Four times they sent me the same proposal, and I gave them the same reply. 5 Sanballat sent me this same message a fifth time by his aide, who had an open letter in his hand. 6 In it was written: It is reported among the nations—and Geshem agrees—that you and the Jews plan to rebel. This is the reason you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king 7 and have even set up the prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf, “There is a king in Judah.” These rumors will be heard by the king. So come, let’s confer together. 8 Then I replied to him, “There is nothing to these rumors you are spreading; you are inventing them in your own mind.” 9 For they were all trying to intimidate us, saying, “They will drop their hands from the work, and it will never be finished.” But now, my God, strengthen my hands.

Illust: Rock Climbing in WV

One of my favorite hobbies of all time is rock climbing. Some of my fondest memories of college are going on rock climbing adventures with several of my closest friends. Early on in my rock climbing “career” we went on a climbing trip to West Virginia, New River Gorge.

We had a ton of confidence and very little experience.

One of the first routes we climbed was way out of our league. And of course I was the guinea pig. I started to climb and made it about halfway up before realizing that there was a bolt missing in the mountain. I made a game time decision and decided to skip the bolt and try to make it to the next one that was 15 feet higher. Knowing full well that if I were to fall it would be about a 30-40 ft free-fall.

I made it within inches of being able to clip in before getting the shaky arm and shaky leg. My muscles had completely given away and I yelled "falling!"

I learned a lesson that day that would carry with me for the rest of my life. I should have prayed “Oh God Strengthen My Hands”

Big Idea:

Opposition is inevitable when you step out in faith, but we can have strength and confidence to press on when we pray.

Pray: (Pause 3-5 seconds)

Background: Quick Recap…

Nehemiah had a call on his life to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Jerusalem was destroyed in 586 B.C. The Hebrew people had been overtaken 3 different times and placed in exile. It was 141 years later, in the year 445 BC under the rule of King Artaxerxes that Nehemiah heard about how his people had returned and were in distress. Not only are they in distress but also the walls of Jerusalem are broken down. The wall in a pile of rubble was a disgrace to the Hebrew people. He knew God had called him to this task and he was committed whatever the cost.

Nehemiah was a cupbearer to the King of Persia. He was also a Jew, living in Persia among those who had not gone home. He served as a trusted official in the king’s court. It was at this time that he heard about his people in distress. The walls are rotted and torn down and they are left defenseless. Nehemiah was not weeping for the broken walls, but for the brokenness of his people. He felt compassion for their welfare and this news led Nehemiah to both deep sadness and courageous action.

In this passage we see him complete the task. Despite many threats, deceit, challenges, and obstacles, we see the task finished and in record time.

Let’s look a little deeper into Nehemiah's opposition, Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem. They were local governors surrounding Jerusalem. They did not like Nehemiah and they feared that they would lose power and control if Nehemiah built the walls and gained momentum with the people.

Reality Of Opposition:

1. Begins with the first step of faith
   1. When you say “yes” to Jesus
   2. When you get baptized
   3. When you say “yes” to His voice and Word
2. Continues with the next step of faith
   1. When you answer the call to serve
   2. When you answer the call to forgive
   3. When you answer the call to go!
   4. If you’ve been walking with Jesus for a long time, then one thing you know very well is that the Christian walk does not get easier!
3. Stays till your last step of faith
   1. When the enemy does not want you to finish well.
   2. Story: kids basketball team. It’s not in how you start, but how you finish!
   3. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” - 2 Timothy 4:7
   4. The course of life is a Setback… comeback. Setback… comeback. Setback… comeback.

Methods of Opposition:

1. Displeased: When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard that someone had come to pursue the prosperity of the Israelites, they were greatly displeased. 2:10
2. Mocking: When Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked and despised us, and said, “What is this you’re doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” 2:19 & 4:1-3
3. Angry: When Sanballat, Tobiah, and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the repair to the walls of Jerusalem was progressing and that the gaps were being closed, they became furious. 4:7
4. Threats: And our enemies said, “They won’t realize it until we’re among them and can kill them and stop the work.” 4:11
5. Treated unfairly: Then I said, “What you are doing isn’t right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God and not invite the reproach of our foreign enemies? 5:9
6. Deceiving: and have even set up the prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf, “There is a king in Judah.” These rumors will be heard by the king. So come, let’s confer together. 6:7
7. Intimidation: Then I replied to him, “There is nothing to these rumors you are spreading; you are inventing them in your own mind.” 9 For they were all trying to intimidate us, saying, “They will drop their hands from the work, and it will never be finished.” But now, my God, strengthen my hands. 6:8-9

Notice how the opposition intensifies the further along you go in the story. It doesn’t get easier, it gets harder! Much harder! And the decision to obey requires even more prayer and dependence on God!

Opposition is an invitation to increase prayer, build faith, and depend on God even more. Next time you face opposition I want you to think “I got an opportunity to watch God work!”

Response To Opposition:

Prayer, work ethic, vigilance, perseverance, and dependence on God.

1. Prayer First:

   1. “After I made an inspection, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them.Remember the great and awe-inspiring Lord, and fight for your countrymen, your sons and daughters, your wives and homes.” Nehemiah 4:14
   2. John Bunyan wisely observed, “You can do more than pray after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed”
   3. Remember the great and awe inspiring Lord. Fight for people, family, and your home. Remember and fight. Remember and stand firm. God is great, and my people are worth fighting for!

2. Confidence in the Lord's Word:

   1. “So we rebuilt the wall until the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had the will to keep working.” Nehemiah 4:6
   2. They put their hands to work. They didn’t recluse or pull back, they steadied the course. We defend with the Sword of the Lord and we build with our hands.
   3. “The laborers who carried the loads worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other.” Nehemiah 4:17
   4. Nehemiah 4:17 Work in one hand and Weapon in the other.
   5. Story: Ed Elberson bible study. The Word of God in one hand and rebuilding my marriage in the other.
   6. Here’s how I’d apply that for us. Their weapons were real. Ours are spiritual. If you want to work with a weapon then walk around the city listening to worship music! Sit in your office or coffee shop with your bible! Take invite cards with you everywhere you go and bring people to Crews & Sunday Gatherings.
   7. You take opposition with you when you walk in obedience to God.
   8. Story: Taking your bible everywhere! Be ready at all times.
   9. Question: When was the last time you got lost in worship? Or emotional thinking about the goodness of God?
   10. Ever heard the saying “take work with you?”
   11. Story: going on a summer trip and watching podcasts, sermons, and working on spreadsheets.
   12. Matthew McConaughey quote “The devil wouldn’t be attacking you so hard if there wasn’t something valuable in you. Thieves don’t break into empty houses.”
   13. Maybe it’s time to take your weapon with you.

3. They Were Vigilant:

   1. “At that time, I also said to the people, “Let everyone and his servant spend the night inside Jerusalem, so that they can stand guard by night and work by day.” 23 And I, my brothers, my servants, and the men of the guard with me never took off our clothes. Each carried his weapon, even when washing.” - Nehemiah 4:22-23
   2. They set up a watch and a warning for all the builders. When things are going down, we’ll rally together! The fight that we are engaged with in the supernatural is not a solo battle. It takes an army. The enemy is prowling around looking for someone to devour, but we are suited up with the full armor of God and we’re ready for any and all attacks.
   3. They were aware of the attacks. They weren’t distracted, but they set up a post and prepared in advance.

4. Dependence On God

   1. “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” - Colossians 3:2.
   2. If you want faith to build, then you need dependence on God. As challenges come our way, we can depend on talent, gifts, resources, people, or strategy, or we can depend on God.
   3. I don’t want to depend on God only in times of adversity, I want to depend on God at all times so that WHEN opposition comes, I’m already prepared to WIN!
   4. Question: How do you respond when faced with opposition? Do you get angry? Do you retaliate? Do you bash the other person first? Do you over analyze and strategize the situation? Or do you pray?
   5. The rebuilding of the wall was not merely a result of good leadership, there was another power at play through something so simple, Nehemiah had a humble dependence on God.
   6. “And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.” (Nehemiah 4:8-9)
   7. But Nehemiah said “In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.” Nehemiah 4:20
   8. In order to experience the fullness of God's power we must be willing to release control and fully surrender.
   9. Control of the desired outcome. Control of EVERYTHING in order for Him to have full access. God will fight for you!
   10. "Oh God strengthen my hands!” If it's going to happen it's going to be because of you! I don't want the credit! I don't want the glory! I don't want fame! It's about you Jesus! “Oh God, Strengthen my hands oh God!"

   11. When the enemy attacks your calling and says you can't do it! "Oh God strengthen my hands."

       1. When people say “It’s too risky!” "Oh God strengthen my hands."
       2. When people say “It’s too reckless!” "Oh God, strengthen my hands!"
       3. When it looks nothing like you planned and you become overwhelmed! "Oh God, strengthen my hands!”
       4. HE WILL SHOW UP AND DO THE WORK THAT ONLY HE CAN DO IN THE FIRST PLACE!
          12. Application: If you want to feel intense and overwhelming opposition.. start foster care. Move toward adoption! Start caring for the helpless, homeless, and hopeless in our world!
       5. Faithful To The End

5. “The wall was completed in fifty-two days, on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul. 16 When all our enemies heard this, all the surrounding nations were intimidated and lost their confidence, for they realized that this task had been accomplished by our God.” - Nehemiah 6:15-16

6. When we face opposition and challenges it is tempting to say “God, remove me from this situation.” But Nehemiah prays “Strengthen my hands.” He remained faithful to his responsibilities and trusted in the strength that God would provide.
7. When we stay faithful to the end, committed in prayer, and dependent on God, people will take notice.
8. Start now. Start small. And stay faithful.
9. Whatever the obstacle is in front of you, stay faithful. If it feels like it’s more than you can bear, stay faithful. If you are starting to doubt God’s call on your life and you’re saying “I’m done!” stay faithful. God is able to give you victory, and when He does, the people will know it was God and God alone!

Oftentimes we like to take a verse out of the bible, like this one, and say “Yes, God strengthen my hands!” and we claim it without ever considering the context of the story.

In this passage we see Nehemiah coming to God with a humble spirit, having been committed in prayer and confession of sins, fully dependent on God, and staying faithful to the end.

Illust Cont.: Rock Climbing in WV

The lesson I learned that day that would carry with me for the rest of my life was that I could trust the free fall. I became a better and more confident climber because I let go. "Oh God, strengthen my hands" is not a prayer to grip harder in my own strength. It is asking God for His strength to keep my hands on the work.

You cannot do it alone. You will get tired. You will feel overwhelmed. Your hands will shake and your knees will shake. Let go of your own strength and trust God.

When you keep at it in your own strength it’s often times going to look just like you predicted. But when you let go and trust God. And truly rely on His strength. It may look nothing like you planned, more often than not it looks nothing like you planned, but He is faithful and will give you strength to overcome and finish the task.

You see, I became a better rock climber that day. No longer was I afraid to fall. I gained more confidence in the rope and the anchors. It gave me confidence to try more difficult mountains because I knew I could trust the free-fall. And I want you to know this morning, so can you.

Let’s pray.