Nehemiah's defense

Nehemiah 4:1-5 (NLT)

4 Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage and mocked the Jews, 2 saying in front of his friends and the Samarian army officers, “What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they’re doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a single day by just offering a few sacrifices? Do they actually think they can make something of stones from a rubbish heap—and charred ones at that?”

3 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was standing beside him, remarked, “That stone wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it!”
4 Then I prayed, “Hear us, our God, for we are being mocked. May their scoffing fall back on their own heads, and may they themselves become captives in a foreign land! 5 Do not ignore their guilt. Do not blot out their sins, for they have provoked you to anger here in front of the builders.”

Arm yourselves and prepare for battle, but keep on working until the job is complete. There will be scoffers and mockers...you can count on it. And the workers are bound to go through a time of grumbling and complaining. We, too, can remember Nehemiah's words of encouragement for they are just as true today. First, in verse 14, "Don't be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes." Second, in verse 18, "When you hear the blast of the trumpet, rush to wherever it is sounding. Then our God will fight for us!"
When we become discouraged because of scoffers and because our workers are grumbling, we loose time on the project. It is important for us to remember the project belongs to the Lord whether we are cleaning our house, shopping for groceries, rebuilding relationships, or decorating for Vacation Bible School. Anything we do has potential to glorify our Lord. Attitude and determination are key. Nehemiah went straight to the Lord in prayer when he realized what he was up against, we should too. Hang in there and see that the Lord is fighting for you!