Facing Opposition While Leaning on Faith

Nehemiah 6:1–14 (ESV)

1 Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates), 2 Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm. 3 And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” 4 And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner. 5 In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. 6 In it was written, “It is reported among the nations, and Geshem also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king. 7 And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem, ‘There is a king in Judah.’ And now the king will hear of these reports. So now come and let us take counsel together.” 8 Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind.” 9 For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands. 10 Now when I went into the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home, he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple. Let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you. They are coming to kill you by night.” 11 But I said, “Should such a man as I run away? And what man such as I could go into the temple and live? I will not go in.” 12 And I understood and saw that God had not sent him, but he had pronounced the prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 For this purpose he was hired, that I should be afraid and act in this way and sin, and so they could give me a bad name in order to taunt me. 14 Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, according to these things that they did, and also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who wanted to make me afraid.

Introduction:

In the 1992 Olympics, Derek Redmond, while running his race, tore his hamstring and fell. His father somehow ran out to the track, helped him up, and began to run with him around the track until he crossed the finish line. Redmond did not win the race, but he finished the race. Through the opposition of pain and frustration, he finished because he could rely on the help and lean on his father.

Just as Redmond relied on his father's support, Nehemiah relied on God's strength to complete his mission. Today’s text embodies this same idea. Nehemiah was able to finish the wall in Jerusalem, not with ease but because he was able to lean on the help and power of God even in the face of frustration and opposition. We too can finish what God assigns us with the same principle of faith: lean on God and trust His power.

Resist the Lure of the Enemy (vv.1-4)

Nehemiah 6:1–4 ESV

1 Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates), 2 Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm. 3 And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” 4 And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner.

Exposition:

Nehemiah's enemies attempted to lure him away from his work by inviting him to meet in the plain of Ono. The Hebrew word for "scheming" here is "mezimah," which indicates a cunning or deceitful plan. Recognizing this, Nehemiah understood their intent was to harm him, as "ra'ah" (harm) means "evil" or "bad." This wasn’t a friendly invitation but a trap set to derail the work on the wall and possibly to physically harm Nehemiah.

To resist the lure of the enemy means to recognize and actively refuse to be distracted or misled by deceptive invitations or temptations.

Nehemiah was keenly aware of the deceptive intentions behind the invitations he received. He knew that accepting the invitation would pull him away from the important work God had given him.Nehemiah prioritized the work God had given him and refused to be distracted by their malicious intentions. He recognized the importance of his mission and understood that any deviation could result in failure.

By staying focused on God's task, he set an example of diligence and discernment.

This repeated attempt to lure Nehemiah away shows the persistence of his enemies. They sent the same message four times, highlighting how relentless opposition can be.

Despite this, Nehemiah’s consistent response demonstrated his unwavering commitment to God’s work and his keen discernment of the enemy’s intentions. His unwavering focus is a lesson for us to stay committed to God's work, no matter how persistent the distractions may be.

Reinforce the Theme: Leaning on God and trusting in His power means recognizing the distractions for what they are and relying on God's wisdom to stay focused on His mission. Just as Nehemiah stayed committed to the work despite persistent attempts to lure him away, we too must remain steadfast in our faith and trust in God's guidance.

Proverbs 4:25–27 ESV

25 Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. 26 Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. 27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.

Philippians 3:13–14 ESV

13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Illustration: In our modern lives, distractions come in many forms—social media, unnecessary engagements, or even seemingly good opportunities that can derail our focus from God's work. Just as Nehemiah resisted these distractions, we too must stay vigilant and committed.

Application: Identify and resist the distractions in your life that are keeping you from fulfilling God's purpose. Stay focused on what God has called you to do, no matter how enticing other offers may seem.

Transition: Having resisted the distractions, let’s now consider how to handle the lies that may come our way.

Repel the Lies of the Enemy (vv.5-9)

Nehemiah 6:5–9 ESV

5 In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. 6 In it was written, “It is reported among the nations, and Geshem also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king. 7 And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem, ‘There is a king in Judah.’ And now the king will hear of these reports. So now come and let us take counsel together.” 8 Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind.” 9 For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands.

Exposition:

Nehemiah's enemies spread false rumors and accusations to instill fear and undermine his leadership. They claimed that Nehemiah was plotting a revolt and planning to become king, a serious charge that could have led to significant political consequences.

The Hebrew word for "strengthen" is "chazaq," which means to make firm or to encourage. Nehemiah’s prayer, "Now strengthen my hands," reflects his plea for God to fortify him, to give him the courage and strength to persevere despite the lies. This prayer shows Nehemiah’s reliance on divine strength rather than his own.

Instead of succumbing to fear or being sidetracked by the lies, Nehemiah continued to focus on his work. His response to the accusations was direct and clear, rejecting the false claims and refusing to let them hinder the task at hand.

Nehemiah's determination to keep building the wall demonstrated his faith in God and his commitment to the mission.

To repel the lies of the enemy means to actively push back against falsehoods. Nehemiah did this by confronting the lies head-on, refusing to give them power over his actions or his mindset. He relied on truth and prayer to fortify his resolve.

This teaches us that we must confront lies with the truth of God's Word and remain steadfast in our mission. Nehemiah's actions teach us the importance of prayer in the face of adversity. By seeking God's strength, he was able to overcome the fear and discouragement that the lies were intended to cause.

Reinforce the Theme: Leaning on God and trusting in His power means seeking His strength through prayer and standing firm in the truth. Nehemiah did not let the lies of his enemies derail him because he relied on God's strength and the truth of God's Word.

Ephesians 6:10–11 ESV

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Illustration: Consider times when rumors or false accusations were spread about someone, and they had to rely on their integrity and God's truth to stand firm. For example, think about how public figures often face false accusations and must stand firm in their truth.

Application: When faced with lies and accusations, we must repel them by holding fast to God's truth and maintaining our integrity. Pray for strength and continue the work God has called you to do.

Transition: Not only must we repel lies, but we must also be vigilant to reject any traps set by the enemy.

Reject the Traps of the Enemy (vv.10-14)

Nehemiah 6:10–14 ESV

10 Now when I went into the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home, he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple. Let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you. They are coming to kill you by night.” 11 But I said, “Should such a man as I run away? And what man such as I could go into the temple and live? I will not go in.” 12 And I understood and saw that God had not sent him, but he had pronounced the prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 For this purpose he was hired, that I should be afraid and act in this way and sin, and so they could give me a bad name in order to taunt me. 14 Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, according to these things that they did, and also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who wanted to make me afraid.

Exposition:

Nehemiah faced another challenge when Shemaiah tried to trick him into seeking refuge in the temple, intending to discredit him. The Hebrew word for "intimidate" is "yare," meaning "to fear" or "to be afraid." This word choice shows how fear can be a powerful tool to derail God’s work. The enemy often uses fear to manipulate and control, aiming to make us act irrationally and sin against God.

Additionally, the term "prophets" (navi) in this context refers to false prophets paid to deceive Nehemiah. These prophets, who were supposed to be messengers of God, were instead tools of deception. This highlights the need for discernment, even when dealing with seemingly religious sources. Not everyone who claims to speak for God actually does.

Nehemiah's discernment in recognizing the deceit is a testament to his wisdom and reliance on God. He realized that God had not sent Shemaiah and that his prophecy was a ploy orchestrated by his enemies. This discernment helped him avoid a trap that could have discredited him and halted the work on the wall.

To reject the traps of the enemy means to recognize and actively refuse to fall into the schemes set before us. Nehemiah understood that taking refuge in the temple would have been seen as a cowardly act, unworthy of his leadership position, and would have given his enemies ammunition to tarnish his reputation. By rejecting this trap, Nehemiah demonstrated his steadfast faith and courage in God's protection and plan.

Instead of giving in to fear, Nehemiah stood firm. His refusal to act out of fear highlighted his trust in God's guidance and protection. Nehemiah’s example teaches us the importance of staying true to our convictions and relying on God's wisdom to navigate deceit and manipulation.

By trusting in God's guidance, we can avoid the traps set by our enemies and continue the work He has called us to do. This involves being vigilant, discerning, and courageous in our faith.

Reinforce the Theme: Leaning on God and trusting in His power means rejecting fear and deceit, and standing firm in God's wisdom and protection. Nehemiah avoided the trap by trusting in God's guidance and refusing to act out of fear.

Psalm 27:1 ESV

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Illustration: Fear can be a powerful trap, causing us to act irrationally and potentially sin. For example, during difficult times, people might be tempted to make hasty decisions out of fear.

Application: Let me encourage you to reject traps and deceit by seeking God's wisdom. Pray daily for God’s guidance. Meditate on His word and follow His voice. Remain courageous and pray for discernment to recognize and avoid traps.

Transition: As we have seen through Nehemiah's story, relying on God's wisdom and strength allows us to resist distractions, repel lies, and reject traps.

Conclusion:

Resist the lure, renounce the lies, and reject the traps of the enemy. Nehemiah faced significant opposition, yet he stood firm in his faith and trusted in God's power, enabling him to complete the work he was called to do.

What distractions, lies, or traps are keeping you from fulfilling God's purpose? Identify them and bring them before God in prayer.

In the same way that Derek Redmond leaned on his father to finish the race, we must lean on our Heavenly Father to finish the race set before us.

Nehemiah finished the wall because he trusted in God's strength and wisdom. We too can finish our God-given tasks by relying on His power and guidance.

Church, no matter what opposition you face, remember that our God is greater! When the enemy comes to distract you, resist the lure! When lies are spread about you, renounce them with the truth of God’s Word! When traps are set before you, reject them with courage and wisdom from the Lord! Lean on God, trust in His power, and you will overcome!

Jesus faced the ultimate opposition on the cross. He was betrayed, falsely accused, and crucified, yet He overcame death and rose again. Through His death, burial, and resurrection, we have the victory! Trust in Jesus, lean on Him, and no opposition can stand against you.