After I looked things over, I stood up, and said ... “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses” (Nehemiah 4:14).

Have you ever faced opposition while you were trying to complete a goal, or perhaps experienced it in a relationship where you can remember the words leaving a mark? For myself, being a Native American, I can remember growing up hearing things that many have attempted to put on me as a “supposed” identity. Many of these words were more hurtful than good. 

Webster’s dictionary defines this word ‘opposition’ as, “resistance or dissent, expressed in action or argument”.  This is strikingly featured in this fourth chapter of Nehemiah. 

As we read this chapter notice the words spoken by Nehemiah. At this point in the story we’re seeing the incessant level of threats and complaints rising against the people of God, the wall is now at the half-way point, the enemy’s threats and plan feel imminently life-threatening, and Nehemiah has just armed the people for a possible fight. The pressure of opposition is intensifying. It’s here in this tumultuous time that God inserts Nehemiah. It’s under pressure that we often grow the most as we learn to rely on God in the actions and responses we make. 

Though we can’t always change what happens to us, our responses matter. As we see in verse 14 Nehemiah does something unexpectedly powerful in this definitive moment. A moment that started with God. 

Nehemiah knew this was a work of God, and he trusted Him to do what only He could do. So rather than give up, or seek to form a committee, or give a command like a general to gather the forces for war, we instead see him respond differently as he addresses the people. He captures their perspective by repeating a very familiar and frequent command in scripture “Fear not!”, then reminds them of the One who is the true source of their confidence, “The Lord, who is great and awesome.” Finally, he reminds them that what they’re fighting for is well worth it.

Opposition is designed to pull us apart, but God will use it as mortar to bind us together.

Where is it that you feel that you’re experiencing opposition? This week, think and pray about two ways that Nehemiah’s response to his situation could help you respond to yours.