Nehemiah 6:1 Now it came to pass when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;) 2 That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief. 3 And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? 4 Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner.
This experience of Nehemiah and the Jews took place as they were trying to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem after they had been burned by the invading army of Nebuchadnezzar. In their earnest efforts to restore the walls which had been broken down, they ran into serious opposition from their enemies who were bent on discouraging them from rebuilding. Prominent among their critics was a man by the name of Sanballat, who on several different occasions, and in different ways, tried to distract the builders from the work that they had set out to accomplish.
At one time he used threats, on another occasion he used entreaties, and at another times he used subterfuge craft and cunning, all with the intention of causing Nehemiah and his Jewish brethren to lose focus and courage, so that the work could be brought to a halt. However, try as he might, Sanballat could not succeed in dissuading the Jews from their steadfast purpose of restoring the walls of Jerusalem, for with every evil hurdle he tried to cast in their pathway, the more determined and vigilant they became. Let's read:
Nehemiah 4:7 But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth, 8 And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it. 9 Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them. 17 They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. 18 For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.
This rugged determination and courage here manifested by Nehemiah and his brethren is full of instruction for us in our generation, for we are often faced with daunting tasks and tremendous obstacles to advancing the cause of God in the earth, and also in our personal experiences we often come across serious difficulties in trying to accomplish that which is good. The Bible teaches us that when we trust in God, He makes us very determined and formidable in our attitudes towards doing right, that's why we are told that we are more than conquerors through Him that loves us.
Anything, whether temporal or spiritual, that is worth achieving will be opposed by the enemies of all good and righteousness, yet by looking to Jesus who is our Exemplar in all things, we should press on in faith, doubting nothing, for God is able to turn the discouraging sentiments and words from those like Sanballat, into stunning defeats, whereby His name is honored and glorified, and His people are made victorious.
In our Christian experience we are often beset with discouraging words when trying to live aright, and sometimes agents such as Sanballat and Tobiah harass, and try to distract us in various cunning ways, so that our energy and impetus in doing that which is good and right may be depleted. Yet we should stay focused with our eyes on the prize, looking steadfastly up into heaven, from where our help and solace comes. We therefore end with a passage of scripture that encourages us to press on in the right direction of truth and duty, though at times we may be oppressed and taunted by many a foe. Let's read:
Joshua 1:5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. 7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.
May we be encouraged in doing what is right and pleasing in God's sight, for God is faithful to all those who put their trust in Him. "Good night" and God bless!