Nehemiah vs 4:1-14
Sermon preached at Gospel Light Christian Church, Singapore
by Pastor Dr Paul Choo
on 22 May 2005
Nehemiah 4 (22/5/2005)
Review of Nehemiah 3:
1. God raises His people
2. God leads His people
3. God provides for His work
4. God accepts all who are willing
Introduction: The rebuilding of Jerusalem was progressing supernaturally by the grace of God, when Satan (through his agents) attacked. We must be prepared for Satan’s attacks when we do God’s work. Satan is real and his opposition to God’s work is real. Therefore, we must expect opposition when we are doing God’s work. If we understand this, then we will not be discouraged but, on the contrary, we will be encouraged to know that Satan recognizes that our work is significant enough to affect his kingdom. The Jews under Nehemiah obviously understood this and took it as a “confirmation” that spurred them on to greater diligence (v.6). However, we must be careful not stir up opposition because we have a “martyrs’ complex” (ie, have a sense of spiritual superiority because we are persecuted).
In Nehemiah 4 we learn of Satan’s tactics and how to deal with them:
1. Fear and Harm: If we do anything significant for God’s glory, we must expect Satanic opposition. However, if we do anything significant for our own glory (eg. our studies, careers, families), then Satan will not only leave us alone but he might even encourage us along the way, so that we will be too busy to glorify God! A godly life is filled with “peace and joy” in the heart in the midst of persecution (2Tim 3:12). An ungodly life is often “smooth-sailing” but with no peace, joy or purpose.
We must also realize that Satan does not attack us directly because if we knew for sure that it is Satan who is attacking us, then we will resist his tactics because we are God’s children. In fact, we will be more determined to continue to finish our “mission” because we know that our project will glorify God.
However, if Satan uses men to oppose us (especially intelligent people, nice people or our loved ones) then we might be tempted to stop what we are doing.
Satan’s most common method of opposition is to “mock” us (v.1-4). Most Christians are afraid to serve God because they are afraid of mocking, especially public mocking (v.2,3). As most Christian ministry is humble work (like building a wall), many Christians are ashamed to give out a tract, serve in the nursery, teach Sunday School, drive the church van or share the simple Gospel. They do not like to be labeled as “feeble” people (v.2). They are also ashamed to be talking about spiritual things (“sacrifice”) among worldly people (v.2). They also do not like to be serving poor people (“heaps of rubbish”). Unlike impressive worldly work which are measured in millions of dollars, Christian ministry which rebuilds lives appears unimpressive (“a fox…shall even break down their stone wall”). We need to learn that the noblest work and most meaningful work is humble work (eg. honoring our parents, helping our wives, training our children) and we should never be ashamed of simple work. We should teach our children the dignity of labor at a very early age because Jesus Christ was not ashamed of washing feet. Satan exploits our pride and eliminates the vast majority of Christians from serving Him because they do not want to “loose face.” Millions are lost to hell because we do not want to “loose face.” This “save face culture” is a great handicap in life that holds many people back from succeeding – in secular and spiritual realms.
When mocking could not stop the Jews, Satan attempted to physically harm them (v.7,8 and 11,12). Missionaries, who are not ashamed of serving God, are often attacked in this way. So we must not be shocked when we hear of “accidents” among our missionaries who are serving on the frontline of the spiritual battle. Therefore we must never be presumptuous but always praying for their safety. We have no right to send missionaries to the frontlines, if we are not willing to pray for them. When we do our part in prayer, we can trust that “our God will fight for us” (v.20). See 1Sam 17:47.
2. Discouragement: Though many Christians can withstand afflictions for a while, they tend to get worn out when the afflictions persist – and begin to be discouraged.
A discouraged person is easily tired out (v.8-10). On the other hand “the joy of the LORD is our strength” (8:10). The reason why many people are so worn out is because they are not energized by the joy of the LORD as they work.
Another reason for discouragement is that instead of building lives (which is exciting work), we often have to clear “much rubbish” (recurrent old bad habits, former superstitions and religious beliefs) instead. Much of Christian ministry is not “building” but “removing rubbish.”
The greatest discouragement comes from within. The Jews who did not volunteer to build the walls repeatedly warned the ones who were building to stop (v.11,12). The most diligent discouragers of God’s work are often the Christians who are not doing God’s work because when the work is stopped they are “proven” right in their refusal to serve.
3. Prayer and Preparation: Trouble should not drive us to discouragement but to prayer (4,5). We should not be afraid to pray imprecatory prayers against God’s enemies (v.4,5) but we must never do so against our enemies (Matthew 5:44).
Though we pray diligently, we must diligently do what is in our hands to do (v.9. 13-23). Prayer does not release us from our duties. We must pray as if everything depended on prayer and then work as if everything depended on work.
4. Defense: The nice part of God’s ministry is “building” of lives. However, because Satan attacks we must also be good defenders (v.18). Satan’s most effective attacks are upon God’s truths because they are the “foundation” of our faith (Psalm 11:3). We defend our faith for the sake of others, especially of future generations (v.14). Though defense of the faith is important, the main emphasis of our ministry should be the Great Commission.