Monday: Sticks and Stones
Text: Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage and mocked the Jews, 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?” (Nehemiah 4:1-3)
You remember the old playground saying: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”
Who were we kidding?
Words hurt. Being mocked hurts. Being intimidated hurts. Ridicule can be discouraging, disheartening, and defeating.
That’s what the Jewish builders faced. Sanballat felt his power and control slipping away so he resorted name calling and ridicule. Thankfully, Nehemiah was ready and was able to rally the people and keep the work going.
Are you facing ridicule and mocking at work, school, or home?
Our enemy knows how to defeat us. He knows how to throw just the right words at us, and his attacks are aimed at our heart with the goal of destroying our faith.
We need to keep our eyes on our leader and Lord.
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. (Hebrews 12:1b-2, NIV)
Pot of Manna 