Overcoming Opposition
Nehemiah 4
When the Lord’s work and purposes are advancing, opposition is sure to appear. We need to be prepared to know how to withstand and overcome opposition while continuing to serve the Lord and advance His purposes.
Strategic dependence on our great and awesome God and a willingness to engage in the battle under His authority and power are required to withstand and overcome opposition.
Counterattack Strategies:
1. Combat verbal opposition with prayer and faithful perseverance (vs. 4-6)
- Approaching God’s throne of grace with confidence through prayer must always be our first response (cf. Heb. 4:16)
- Prayer reminds us that the battle is the Lord’s (cf. 1 Sam. 17:47; Eph. 6:10)
- Seeing opposition from God’s perspective will empower us to faithfully persevere in His work (vs. 6)
Is your counterattack to verbal opposition (ridicule/mockery) similar to what Nehemiah and the remnants modelled? If not, what adjustments do you need to make in your spiritual warfare plans?
2. Combat active opposition with prayer and trustful vigilance (vs. 9, 13-14)
- When intimidated, avoid the mistake of relying on yourself and the mistake of lazy apathy (cf. vs. 9)
- Active opposition from the outside can lead to discouragement and fear on the inside, if not handled through prayer and appropriate action (cf. vs. 10-12)
- Remind yourself daily that the Lord is great and awesome through prayer and the “Sword of the Spirit” (which is the Word of God)
Has active opposition left you feeling discouraged or fearful? Counterattack discouragement and fear with prayer and biblically based action steps. “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him” (2 Chron. 16:9).
3. Combat potential opposition with faith and watchful readiness (vs. 16-23)
- Building and battling are both normal realities in the life of a faithful disciple of Christ (cf. Eph. 6:11; 1 Pt. 5:8-9)
- Our sense of security, in light of potential opposition, must be grounded in our faith in God, who will fight for us (cf. Ex. 14:14; Dt. 20:4)
- When everyone commits to advancing the Lord’s purposes, He has a vested interest in seeing His purposes advance
How prepared are you for potential opposition? Are you living by faith in God, alert, sober-minded, and with watchful readiness? If so, then stand firm, let nothing move you, and give yourself fully to the work of the Lord (cf. 1 Cor. 15:58). If not, it’s time to close the gaps of vulnerability in your life where you are susceptible to the enemy’s schemes.
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