RELIGION AND RIDICULE

But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they laughed at us and despised us, and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel against the king?” So I answered them, and said to them, “The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no heritage or right or memorial in Jerusalem.” (Nehemiah 2:19-20 NKJV)

So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. (Nehemiah 4:6 NKJV)

The building of the ruined walls of Jerusalem, as the record shows, was undertaken in troubled times. Some of the petty rulers in the neighborhood, exulted in the low estate of the city, because it left room for the exercise of their authority, and they viewed these renewed activities with troubled minds. They plotted for the overthrow of the work, and had to be met by incessant watchfulness.

If you are endeavoring to do God's work in the world, to clear away the trash of sin, to rebuild the walls that are broken down, and to seek the welfare of God's people, do not be surprised if your steps are beset with scorn and ridicule, by the secret or open malice of Sanballat and Tobiah. For some it is easier to face bitter opposition than to bear mockery and ridicule. If only these scornful and criticizing tongues were silenced, we could make more headway, but such persecution drives us back on God, makes Him a living fact in life, and opens the door to the manifestation of the saving health of His right hand (Nehemiah 4:4; Nehemiah 4:9; Nehemiah 4:20). How good it is, at such times, to cease from man, and to remember the Lord who is the great and terrible One (Nehemiah 1:5; Isaiah 51:12-13). Be quite sure that you are on His plan, doing His work in His way; then go forward in His Name, and he will make all the obstacles diminish.

The lesson for us all is the threefold aspect of the Christian life. There is our up look into God's face--"I prayed to the God of Heaven." We must never forget to pray, for more things are wrought by prayer than we realize. Second, there is our up look against our foes and the foes of God--"we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night." We must watch as well as pray. Lastly, there is our dawn look towards the work entrusted to us, at which we must labor with unslacking devotion, in fellowship with our Lord (1 Corinthians 3:9). Let each inquire: "Am I inside the city among its builders, or outside among its detractors and foes?"

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, teach us day by day what You would have us to do, and give us grace and power to fulfill the same. May we never from laziness or love of ease; decline the path which You point out, nor, for fear of shame, turn way from it. I pray it in Jesus' name, AMEN.