RPG Adults
SERVICE AMIDST OPPOSITION (I)
SATURDAY, JANUARY 17
Nehemiah 4:1-6
2 Kings 18:17-37
“…hath he not sent me to the
men which sit on the wall…?”
SERVICE AMIDST OPPOSITION (I)
God’s work will never lack supply and provision from God. And those who seek to serve Him will never lack the grace to enable them to fulfil His will. On the other hand, in God’s service, God’s servants will always face opposition and hardship. Spiritual work comes with spiritual battles. Nehemiah spoke of the burden God placed in his heart, and how God prospered
(i) his desires, granting him permission before the king,
(ii) his plans, granting him his requests for provisions and letters from the king,
(iii) his journey, bringing him safely to Jerusalem, and
(iv) his effort, enabling him to rally the people to rise up and work.
When Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth (Neh 4:1). The news of the work’s progress was not good news to all who heard it just as the news that “there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel” (Neh 2:10) was not welcome news to all. Then, in addition to the great work in progress, there was added great battles to be fought and obstacles to be overcome.
And mocked the Jews (Neh 4:1). As the enemies of God gathered, their intent was one: the work must not continue. And they were prepared to do all they could to ensure that. Their first onslaught was against the resolve of God’s people to do His work. They set out to discourage them by their mocking. They pretended to speak among themselves, but did so within earshot of God’s people so as to weaken their resolve. They questioned the physical ability of the Jews in the work they were undertaking for their God. Today, our enemies use the same tactic. They question and undermine the Christian’s faith in and service to his God. Dear Christian, do not be ashamed of your Christian faith nor stray from your walk with Christ because of their discouraging or demeaning words. Do not be ashamed of your Christian work even in the face of ridicule and scorn. Many before you have endured such (Heb 11:36). Even Christ Himself suffered such (John 9:28; Mark 15:31).
THOUGHT: Read Matthew 10:24, 32-33.
PRAYER: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”