“I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down.” — Nehemiah 6:3

The opposition now became more subtle.

Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem tried to distract Nehemiah by repeatedly inviting him to meet them.

Nehemiah understood that the invitation was not innocent.

He responded:

“I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down.”

Four times they invited him.

Four times he refused.

When distraction failed, they tried accusation.

They spread allegations that Nehemiah wanted to become king.

When that failed, they tried intimidation.

Then they used deceptive advice to make him compromise his integrity.

The strategy was sophisticated:

Distract him.

Intimidate him.

Discredit him.

Make him afraid.

Make him compromise.

But Nehemiah remained focused.

He prayed:

“Now strengthen my hands.” — Nehemiah 6:9

What a prayer!

He did not ask God to make the opposition disappear.

He asked God to strengthen his hands.

Sometimes God does not immediately remove the opposition.

He strengthens us to continue the assignment despite it.

Eventually:

“So the wall was completed.” — Nehemiah 6:15

The work was finished.

The lesson

When you are committed to meaningful work, you will not always control what people say about you.

You cannot control every rumor.

You cannot answer every accusation.

You cannot attend every meeting.

You cannot respond to every provocation.

But you can control your character, focus and response.

Not every invitation deserves your attention.

Not every accusation deserves your energy.

Not every piece of advice should be followed.

Discern. Pray. Stay focused. Keep building.

Prayer

Lord, strengthen my hands.

When I am distracted, refocus me.

When I am intimidated, strengthen me.

When I am falsely accused, keep me from bitterness.

When I receive advice, give me discernment to know what to accept and what to reject.

And above all, help me finish the work You have entrusted to me without compromising my integrity.

Amen.

Reflection

What is currently trying to make you “come down” from the work you have been called to do?

Stay focused. Keep building.