NEHEMIAH 4:1-10
The legendary boxer Muhammad Ali used a variety of ring strategies, including taunting, to overcome his opponents. Ali mocked George Foreman by saying, “Hit harder!” during their 1974 fight. “Show me something.” “George, I thought you were supposed to be bad.” Furiously punching when in a rage, Foreman wasted energy and lost faith.
It is an old strategy. Tobiah wanted to weaken the workers with poisonous words of discouragement, so he referred to Nehemiah’s attempts to repair the ruined wall of Jerusalem as nothing more than a fox’s playground (Nehemiah 4:3). David was put to the test by Goliath, who disdained the boy’s crude sling and stone weaponry (1 Sam. 17:41–44).
A demoralising statement has the potential to be lethal. Tobiah’s discouragements were met with Nehemiah’s steadfast resistance.
Nehemiah resisted Tobiah’s discouragement in the same way that David resisted Goliath’s evil taunts. David and Nehemiah both succeeded because they put their trust in God and His assistance rather than on their trying situations.
Anyone, even those who are near us, has the ability to taunt. Negative responses merely drain our energies.
🙏🏻Lord Jesus, help me to reject all agents of discouragement in my life and to trust in You for comfort and strength.
