Nehemiah 4:1-20

Sunday's message on "Trusting God When Critics Mock You" from Nehemiah 4:1-20 was an encouragement in light of the criticism I was starting to sense more of in class.   The initial reminder from the series itself is motivation to keep going, that trials allow us to demonstrate our faith and trust in God.

There was a really neat story of the person who built the first helicopter.  He had a saying posted on his wall that was along the lines of "Bumblebees can't fly because of the proportion of their body weight and size to their wings; but the Bumblebee doesn't know this, and flies anyway." :-)

As we looked at the passage in Nehemiah, we see that the critics:

• Are often filled with anger and bias
• Instead of encouraging progress, mock it
• Gather a wider circle (and often spread like a virus)
• Use the following methods:   labeling, mocking values as worthless, ridicule goals as unattainable, and impede progress

However, instead of letting the criticism get him down (depressed, defeated, or silent), compromising in hopes of appeasing, or getting mad or even; Nehemiah stands up and faces the critics with courageous faith and bold defense of the truth by praying for his critics but against their plan; and restating his values, firing up his passion, and continually moving toward his godly goals.

It was interesting that one thing I started to understand as I was going through the criticism was why Paul so often prayed for boldness and courage.   That's what is needed to stand firm against the critics, of which he had many.

And yesterday, the critics did not come to class; so, we were able to have a good lesson covering very important areas of Christology.   I can see God at work, not only encouraging me through this and working "behind the scenes", but also building up my courage and boldness in standing firm in teaching.