GOD CAN HANDLE IT
Carey Madding
Today's Scripture: “But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.” Jude 1:20-21, ESV
Theme: Avoiding the negative is necessary. We do this by building something different: faith, prayer life, staying within God’s love, and remembering we don’t have anything without Jesus’ mercy.
TURN THE OTHER CHEEK
Jesus commanded us to avoid conflict and arguments. In Matthew 5:39 (ESV), He said: “But I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” This seems a bit passive, doesn’t it? I am willing to turn the other cheek and not retaliate, but I have also looked at the many ways that Nehemiah responded to opposition and resistance. When opposition, slander, or gossip becomes an issue, we have options.
PRAY
In Nehemiah 4:1-3, the enemies of God’s people began to ridicule the rebuilding of the wall. In verses four and five, Nehemiah responds with prayer. He starts out, “Hear, O our God, for we are despised.” Then verse six states: “So we built the wall.” The exact same thing happens in verses eight and nine: “And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night” (Nehemiah 4:8-9, ESV). Just prayer. That was all. And then they continued the work. I can certainly do this! It’s not passive! It’s actively taking the situation to the Lord God and leaving it in His hands.
ENCOURAGE AND PREPARE
The next time opposition arose, Nehemiah responded differently: “I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, ‘Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes’” (Nehemiah 4:13b-14, ESV). Although they prepared for battle, they did not fight. The preparation and the strong encouragement of Nehemiah was enough to stop the enemy. The Bible says their plans were frustrated. Sometimes, taking appropriate steps and focusing on God, who will fight our battles, is all that is needed.
REBUTTING SLANDER
After the completion of the wall around Jerusalem, the enemies of Nehemiah started a smear campaign. “It is reported among the nations, and Geshem also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king” (Nehemiah 6:6, ESV). Have you ever had someone make up lies about you? I have. Most often, there is nothing you can do about it. To make a huge, public defense often makes you look more guilty and more concerned about your “image” than is necessary or helpful. But sometimes, it’s important to state the truth. Nehemiah replies, “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind” and then he prays: “But now, O God, strengthen my hands” (Nehemiah 6:8, 9b, ESV).
THE CORRECT ORDER
There is no standard response for every attack. But the primary defense is God. “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:14, NIV). The second principle we must never forget is this: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6, ESV). Start with these two tenets in mind, and then proceed as God directs. Always remember that your number one responsibility, even in conflict, is to glorify God.
Make It Personal: We each have a typical fight/flight response. We may refuse to deal with conflict which should be gently confronted. We may jump on it with two feet without praying and asking God’s direction. Stop. Pray. Trust God to not only fight your battles but will lead you to your next step.
Pray: Father, I trust You. Lead me in the way You would have me go. Show me how to act. Keep me from reacting. I am turning over the opposition in my life to you.
Read: Psalm 74:10, 68:1,3; 2 Samuel 22:2-4,7, 32-37
Weekly Memory Verse:
“Then he said to me, ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.’” Zechariah 4:6, ESV