4 Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. 5 Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders.
6 So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.
Thoughts: Nehemiah 3 was about building up the wall all around but only to half its height at first. When the haters of Nehemiah mocked them, they had a long way to go.
Yet Nehemiah did a very god-like thing- he asked God to defend them instead of making a verbal defense or starting a war. Sanballat had threatened them, rousing up his army and giving reasons to go to war, but Nehemiah simply called on God and continued the work. He had a prayer that was similar to an imprecatory Psalm. Some would say it is mean-spirited. But the essence was just for God to not be merciful to them. Nehemiah was aware that every day we need God's forgiveness and mercy for our guilt and sins. None of us are perfect or righteous. Mercy is not something we deserve- it is not something that is rightfully ours. Nehemiah is asking God not to go the extra mile for people who are despising His glory and His people. Remember Nehemiah was not calling on his friend the king of Persia to save him and his people- though he could have rightfully done so. He was not gathering his own forces for a preepmtive attack on Sanballat. Rather Nehemiah was calling on God to revenge him and was in effect turning the other cheek.
When people oppose what we know is God's will, we do not need to attack them verbally, financially or any other way. But put them squarely in the hands of our defender and let Him be the judge.
Because of this attitude the people worked with all their heart. They knew from this opposition that the wall was necessary. Often in the middle of a project like this we see the real need that we could not see before.
Yet Nehemiah did a very god-like thing- he asked God to defend them instead of making a verbal defense or starting a war. Sanballat had threatened them, rousing up his army and giving reasons to go to war, but Nehemiah simply called on God and continued the work. He had a prayer that was similar to an imprecatory Psalm. Some would say it is mean-spirited. But the essence was just for God to not be merciful to them. Nehemiah was aware that every day we need God's forgiveness and mercy for our guilt and sins. None of us are perfect or righteous. Mercy is not something we deserve- it is not something that is rightfully ours. Nehemiah is asking God not to go the extra mile for people who are despising His glory and His people. Remember Nehemiah was not calling on his friend the king of Persia to save him and his people- though he could have rightfully done so. He was not gathering his own forces for a preepmtive attack on Sanballat. Rather Nehemiah was calling on God to revenge him and was in effect turning the other cheek.
When people oppose what we know is God's will, we do not need to attack them verbally, financially or any other way. But put them squarely in the hands of our defender and let Him be the judge.
Because of this attitude the people worked with all their heart. They knew from this opposition that the wall was necessary. Often in the middle of a project like this we see the real need that we could not see before.
Prayer: Lord, may I see you as my defender. I put my reputation and honor into your hands today and every day.
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