WHEN YOU START TO MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE, EXPECT TO
When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?” Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, “What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!” —Nehemiah 4:1-3
HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THE CRITICS? MOST OF THE TIME,
OUR GOAL IS NOT TO
IF YOU’RE DOING WHAT GOD WANTS YOU TO DO, DON’T BE MOVED BY
Don’t let praise go to your head, and don’t let criticism go to your heart.
DO NOT BE MOVED BY WHAT
Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders. So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart. —Nehemiah 4:4-6
Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.” Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.” Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.” —Nehemiah 4:10-12
THE MOST
THE
When Nehemiah starts to battle insecurity, he takes the focus off of himself and puts it back on God and the good work God has called him to.
After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome.”—Nehemiah 4:14
The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. —1 John 4:4
REMEMBER THE GOODNESS AND FAITHFULNESS OF GOD.
For Reflection, Prayer, and Response
What sort of obstacles have you faced lately?
When you face opposition, how do you usually respond?
If you’ve never faced opposition, what does that tell you about the way you’re living your life?
What step of faith can you take this week to start responding to the thing that burdens your heart?
OUR MOSAIC PRAYER
May the beauty of God be reflected in our eyes,
the love of God be reflected in our hands,
the wisdom of God be reflected in our words,
and the knowledge of God flow from our hearts,
that everyone around us might see and believe.