Vision and Opposition

“So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. ¹⁶ And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.” Nehemiah 6:15-16 (ESV)

God blessed Nehemiah’s obedience and the walls of Jerusalem were finished in fifty-two days. Nehemiah had brought his burden to the Lord in prayer and then joined God in His activity. The vision to rebuild the walls in Jerusalem became a reality as God provided for Nehemiah every step of the way.

Nehemiah had to overcome obstacles and had to advance through adversity. He faced major opposition from Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem. Nehemiah was falsely accused and misunderstood.

• “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.” Nehemiah 6:1-2 (ESV)

Motion causes friction. When you are on mission with God, you can anticipate the motion of obedience to generate friction from the enemy. Satan opposes God’s will and he hates God’s children. When you choose to implement the vision God has given you, be ready for opposition.

Don’t come down from the wall God has called you to in order to try to alleviate the opposition. Reserve your energy for the task God has called you to so that the vision can become a reality. Remember that people are not the enemy, but the enemy uses people. Don’t allow anyone to keep you from fulfilling the vision God has given you. Keep your eyes on the prize!

Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 270:  Nehemiah 5-7)

Pursuing God,

Stephen Trammell
Executive Pastor
Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell