Standing Tall in the Face of Opposition

Last week, I had a lot of free time with my wife and daughter out of town. I took this opportunity to really delve into the Bible. I didn't know what to read; so I prayed about it. God told me to begin reading the book of Nehemiah.

A little bit of background is necessary at this point...for about 2 days, I was facing a lot of opposition from people around me. They were questioning my motives, my values, my respect and even laughing at me because of where my life is taking me. Now back to the story...

I began reading Nehemiah and how he went to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall that surrounds the city. Many of the lords and kings around the city were laughing at him, they were preparing to mount attacks on the city again to discourage Nehemiah and the citizens of Jerusalem. Oh how this story related to me at that moment! But Nehemiah persevered. As the wall was completed, the lords and kings accused Nehemiah of motives that he stated were untrue. He stayed strong in God's request of him to rebuild the wall. He stood up to the governors and told them that they were wrong in their actions toward the people of Jerusalem.

In the face of all of this opposition, Nehemiah stayed strong to God's request. Imagine the obedience!!!!

I'm only about 7 chapters into the book of Nehemiah, but I believe that God is not just talking about a wall and a man and some foes. He is talking about us as people. We face naysayers everyday. People who want to bring us down so that they can stand tall. But if we tuck into God, if we stay strong in Him, if we stand up for what is right; He will take care of us.