As I searched the word this morning God led me to two places about opposition: Matthew 26 where Jesus was brought before the high priest Caiphas and they declared that Jesus saying he was the Messiah was blasphemy.
I was also led to read most of the book of Nehemiah again.
As Nehemiah built the wall as ordained by God he faced extreme opposition by Sanballat, Tobiah and Gershen.
Here is an excerpt:
Nehemiah 3
1[a]But when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious, completely enraged, and he ridiculed the Jews. 2 He spoke before his brothers and the army of Samaria, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore it for themselves? Can they offer sacrifices? Can they finish in a day? Can they revive the stones from the heaps of dust and rubbish, even the ones that have been burned?” 3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Even what they are building—if a fox should get up on it, he would break down their stone wall.”
4 [And Nehemiah prayed] Hear, O our God, how we are despised! Return their taunts on their own heads. Give them up as prey in a land of captivity. 5 Do not forgive their wrongdoing and do not let their sin be wiped out before You, for they have offended the builders [and provoked You].
6 So we built the wall and the entire wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a heart to work.
7 [b]But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the repair of the walls of Jerusalem went on, and that the breaches were being closed, they were very angry. 8 They all conspired together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to cause a disturbance in it.
Discouragement Overcome
9 But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set up a guard against them day and night.
10 Then [the leaders of] Judah said,
“The strength of the burden bearers is failing, And there is much rubble; We ourselves are unable To rebuild the wall.”
11 Our enemies said, “They will not know or see us until we are among them, kill them and put a stop to the work.” 12 When the Jews who lived near them came, they said to us ten times (repeatedly), “From every place you turn, they will come up against us.” 13 So I stationed armed men behind the wall in the lowest places, at the open positions [where it was least protected]; and I stationed the people in families with their swords, spears, and bows. 14 When I saw their fear, I stood and said to the nobles and officials and the rest of the people: “Do not be afraid of them; [confidently] remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and [with courage from Him] fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and for your homes.”
15 Now when our enemies heard that we knew about their plot against us, and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each one to his work. 16 From that day on, half of my servants carried on the work while the other half held the spears, shields, bows, and breastplates; and the captains were behind the whole house of Judah. 17 Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens loaded themselves so that everyone worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other. 18 Every builder had his sword secured at his side as he built. And the one who sounded the trumpet [to summon the troops] stood at my side. 19 I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “The work is great and extensive, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another. 20 Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, gather to us there. Our God will fight for us.” 21 So we carried on with the work with half of them holding spears from dawn until the stars came out. 22 At that time I also said to the people, “Let each man with his servant spend the night inside Jerusalem so that they may serve as a guard for us at night and a laborer during the day.” 23 So neither I, my brothers (relatives), my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each took his weapon [even] to the water.
I wish I could put all here but please continue reading for yourself.
Let us expound a bit
God ordained the wall should be built and that Nehemiah should do the work. He positioned Nehemiah in the right place at the right time ie. In the King's courts.
Even after Nehemiah got the authorization to build the wall, he faced the opposition.
What is God telling you to do today?
Have you moved from your position because of opposition?
The opposition even came from the religious council in Christ's time.
Often opposition can come unexpectedly from even those who we thought should offer support.
Nevertheless BUILD and do not move from your position until the work is completed.
It is what God ordained and spoke that matters, not what man or the enemy wills. No matter how great the opposition...once God said yes it is enough.
Keep praying, keep listening to God for strategy...do not just ignore the enemy - take authority over it in Jesus name
Prayer
Father you have given me assignments to accomplish while I am here on this earth. Make me steadfast and unmovable. I will finish well. I take authority over every evil decree, I cancel it in Jesus name. Frustrate the plans of the enemy Lord. Make a way where there seems to be no way.
Give me strategy to build Lord, send help from the sanctuary. Send destiny helpers and resources Lord. I will complete the work for your glory Lord. Turn every curse into a proportionate blessing I ask you Lord in Jesus name
Amen
Let's go to Nehemiah 13
1 On that day they read aloud from the book of Moses so that the people could hear [its words], and in it was found written that [a]no Ammonite or Moabite could ever enter the assembly of God, 2 because they did not meet the Israelites with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them. Yet our God turned the curse into a blessing.(A)3 When the Jews heard the law, they separated from Israel all who were of foreign descent.
God will turn every curse issued against you into a blessing in Jesus name
Amen
Walk Good in Christ
Till we meet again
Pastor J
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