relationships (Nehemiah 6:1-19) Friend or Foe?

(Nehemiah 6:1-19)  Now when it was reported to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and to the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall, and that no breach was left in it, although at that time I had not installed the doors in the gates, 2 Sanballat and Geshem sent a message to me, saying, “Come, let’s meet together at Chephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they were plotting to harm me. 3 So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and am unable to come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” 4 Then they sent messages to me four times worded in this way, and I answered them with the same wording. 5 Then Sanballat sent his servant to me in the same way a fifth time with an open letter in his hand. 6 In it was written: “It is reported among the nations, and Gashmu says, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; for that reason you are rebuilding the wall. And you are to be their king, according to these reports. 7 You have also appointed prophets to proclaim in Jerusalem concerning you, ‘A king is in Judah!’ And now it will be reported to the king according to these reports. So come now, let’s consult together.” 8 Then I sent a message to him saying, “Nothing like these things that you are saying has been done, but you are inventing them in your own mind.” 9 For all of them were trying to frighten us, thinking, “They will become discouraged with the work and it will not be done.” But now, God, strengthen my hands.

10 When I entered the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was confined at home, he said, “Let’s meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let’s close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you, and they are coming to kill you at night.” 11 But I said, “Should a man like me flee? And who is there like me who would go into the temple to save his own life? I will not go in.” 12 Then I realized that God certainly had not sent him, but he uttered his prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 He was hired for this reason, that I would become frightened and act accordingly and sin, so that they might have an evil report in order that they could taunt me. 14 Remember, my God, Tobiah and Sanballat in accordance with these works of theirs, and also Noadiah the prophetess and the rest of the prophets, who were trying to frighten me.

15 So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. 16 When all our enemies heard about it, and all the nations surrounding us saw it, they lost their confidence; for they realized that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God. 17 Also in those days many letters went from the nobles of Judah to Tobiah, and Tobiah’s letters came to them. 18 For many in Judah were bound by oath to him because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah. 19 Moreover, they were speaking about his good deeds in my presence, and were reporting my words to him. Then Tobiah sent letters to frighten me.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

In the face of adversity, no matter what kind of threats were made or what kind of stories and lies were circulating, Nehemiah did not stop doing God's work.  He did not fight, or run and hide.  He didn't even say something that would antagonize or taunt his enemies, but kept his responses very respectful.  He also didn't lie in order to appease or placate the matter.  Instead, he asked God to strengthen his hands... so he could continue the work that God directed him to do, until it was completed.

There are times when we won't be sure who is a friend or who is an enemy, especially when friends make mistakes that are "sincere" but sincerely wrong.  It is so easy to believe that something is "right".  One can get that feeling, even after praying and looking at God's word.  Especially when we only search the Bible to look for verses that will support our preferences or desires.

This has happened to me when I found myself in the midst of an issue.  There were Bible verses that SEEMED to support what I WANTED to do, but I had taken them out of context.  It took a while for me to remember other verses in the Bible that made it very clear.  I wasn't in the wrong as far as knowing what God said on the matter, but I was wrong in how I wanted to respond!  So, it was a good thing I hadn't gone and shot off my mouth, like I was intending.  I remained respectful, and along with some others, spent more time in prayer.  Not long after, there was peace as some of the self-righteous troublemakers left the church, and some realized their mistakes, confessed and apologized.

As well, I have experienced adversities where people ("friends") were trying to sabotage or distract me from doing God's will... but I have also thought or done things to sabotage or distract myself.  When we say things to get people off our backs, or say things to ourselves to justify our choices, like, "I've just got to live my own truth" or "Truth is what you make it" - we are lying to ourselves!!!

Truth is truth.  What we feel, think or believe does not impact what truth actually is.  Therefore, the key to righteous living is to just keep going back to God!   When something comes up, measure that against what God says in His word.  If it is not from God, do not let it sway, distract or impact you.  Understand that there will be enemies, and that a friend can become a foe, and that we can even be our own foe!  So, to be a better friend to others and ourselves, understand that the Lord is the best friend we can ever have!  He is faithful and He is truth.  Therefore, keep pursuing and trusting God and His truth!