Hear us, O our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. 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. (Nehemiah 4:4-5)
Sanballat’s and Tobiah’s criticism and ridicule might have created some F.E.A.R. in Nehemiah, but he fought through it by turning his circumstances over to God in prayer. He gave them the spiritual equivalent to “I’m the rubber and you’re the glue…” That’s exactly what we should do. When those around you criticize your attempts to build your walls, turn them over to God in prayer and trust Him to deliver you from them.
If their attacks are especially cutting, or if they put you in an embarrassing situation, you might be tempted to let them have it (verbally or otherwise). But remember, that’s God’s business:
“It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them.”
(Deuteronomy 32:35)
The attacks are intended to create fear and discouragement, but failing that, Satan is hoping they will distract you from the work. If he can get you invested in fighting with your distracters, you aren’t building your walls. Nehemiah was a hoss, because he stayed focused on his goal, no matter what the distraction. Satan only wins if you stop building.
