Posted: 17 June 2025

From a sermon given on 15 June 2025:

Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall. Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity:
(Nehemiah 4:3-4)

Whenever you step out in faith, opposition will show up. Criticism is not a sign of failure - it's a sign that you're doing something that matters. In Nehemiah's day, ridicule came swiftly the moment the people began rebuilding. Tobiah's mocking wasn't just about stones - it was aimed at their confidence, their calling, and their courage.

You can expect criticism when you follow God's calling. But expecting it doesn't mean accepting it. You don't need to let it define you, delay you, or derail you. Nehemiah didn't argue - he prayed. He didn't stop - he built. He didn't respond with insults - he responded with focus. His confidence wasn't in his work, but in his God.

Let critics talk. Let doubters doubt. Your response isn't to convince them - your response is to continue. God's approval matters more than man's applause. If God has called you to build, then build—even when they say it's weak, small, or foolish. What matters is not what they say, but what God is doing through you.

Further Readings:

And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came. And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial: The Lord hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the Lord hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man. Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head. And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the Lord hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so? And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the Lord hath bidden him. It may be that the Lord will look on mine affliction, and that the Lord will requite me good for his cursing this day. And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill's side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust. And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there.
(2 Samuel 16:5-14)

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
(Matthew 5:11-12)

Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
(1 Peter 2:23)