Perseverance Pays

Nehemiah 6:1 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—

INTRO—

Remember the time a few years back…when we helped out our neighbors after the overnight windstorm? Coming into the neighborhood for church that Sunday morning, Rolling down my window, I could hear the sound of generators on my left as we approached Bryant & Longfellow…but could tell that we still had power at the church...

A point of opposition, antagonism toward the movement of our church into the community (in a specific instance and for a specific need, to be sure…but a negative response none-the-less.

So, sadly, God’s people in Nehemiah’s day faced seemingly unending, unrelenting opposition. This circumstance remains as we turn to Chapter Six…with one, ultimate difference as we come to the conclusion of the chapter. A difference we might call, the payoff for the project!

Two More Avenues of Opposition (Nehemiah 6.1-14)

Rumor Has It. [Trickery/Harm/Rumors] (6.1-9)

Repeated temptation can weaken one’s resistance…Nehemiah didn’t give in.

The “Open Letter” approach (attack). [A ramp up.]

Nehemiah 6.7-8 “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. Then I replied to him, “There is nothing to these rumors you are spreading; you are inventing them in your own mind.””

Intimidation Escalation. [Intimidation/(Murder)/Discredit] (6.9-14)

Political intimidation (what we’ve been made quite aware of thus far)…

Religious intimidation (is now also brought into view).

Nehemiah 6.13-14 “He (Shemaiah) was hired, so that I would be intimidated, do as he suggested, sin, and get a bad reputation, in order that they could discredit me. My God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat for what they have done, and also the prophetess Noadiah and the other prophets who wanted to intimidate me.”

Nehemiah was wise (he couldn’t go into the temple to take refuge)… He didn’t take the bait.

The resolution for faithful perseverance is important, essential—for us—as we set out to refocus our life, ministry, faithfulness as a church.

The Payoff (Nehemiah 6.15-19)

PERSEVERANCE PAYS! (Keep working and fulfill God’s calling…and others will see God at work in and through us.)

Nehemiah 6.15 “The wall was completed in fifty-two days, on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul.”

“25 day of Elul” = Six months from the time Nehemiah is confronted by the king; 52 days from the time the project begins in earnest in Jerusalem [1.5 months].

Nehemiah 6.16 “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.”

Perseverance must be our determined default setting. (Thanks to Mitch Holtus for sending me down the alliteration rabbit hole.)

Galatians 6.9-10 “Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.”

CONCL—

ASBURY UNIVERSITY…(near Lexington, KY; Revival)…

Reports…Rumors…Responses…Conclusions.

The Project ‘completed’…God’s work among his people involved more. The wall…AND…the people themselves—much more the people ALL THE WAY THROUGHOUT…are GOD’S FOCUS regarding The Comeback.

Nehemiah 6:14 CSB

My God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat for what they have done, and also the prophetess Noadiah and the other prophets who wanted to intimidate me.