Working and praying in the face of opposition

The enemies’ desire to frustrate Nehemiah’s rebuilding project began with scorn and derision (Nehemiah 4:1–3). Since cruel words did not achieve their intended goal, their opposition progressed to deeds. That development is no surprise for anyone familiar with real life. Satan began his opposition to God with cruel words (Genesis 3:1), then progressed his assault on God’s kingdom with deeds (Genesis 4:8, Genesis 4:23–24; Genesis 6:2). Scorn for Jesus’ ministry (for example, Matthew 12:24) eventually climaxed in a plot to arrest Jesus and kill him (Matthew 26:4). The New Testament church can (and did) experience the same sinister development (Acts 21:27–31; Acts 23:12–15; 2 Corinthians 4:7–9). The Christ who triumphed over all opposition (be it scorn and even crucifixion) instructed his apostle not to fear in the face of the scorn and hatred he experienced (Acts 23:11) and granted him the privilege to experience that God’s grace was always sufficient (Acts 27:25; 2 Corinthians 12:9).

Satan’s inspiring of enemies to use scorn to frustrate the rebuilding of Jerusalem was unsuccessful. His next effort is more physical. Awareness of the true nature of opposition (Ephesians 6:12) points the way to the proper response, namely, turning to the Lord to seek his strength and guidance. Nehemiah illustrates that response (Nehemiah 6:9). The Lord’s answer to his petitions (Nehemiah 6:15) is encouragement for the church of all ages to follow the same pattern. That is the more so in these last days, given that Christ Jesus has bound the church’s great Troubler (Matthew 12:29; Revelation 20:2).

Seeking the Lord’s help in the face of trouble (always the right and necessary thing to do!) never absolves us of responsibility to act. As the adage has it: ora et labora; work and pray. It is striking that when Paul relates that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against Satan, he instructs his readers to take up the whole armour of God and comes to prayer only at the end of the list (Ephesians 6:12–20). God placed humanity in the Garden at the beginning with the responsibility to work it and keep it (literally, to guard, Genesis 2:15). Nehemiah’s setting up a guard is consistent with these biblical principles and so very much an example for the New Testament church.