“The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no heritage or right or memorial in Jerusalem.” – Nehemiah 2:20
Confidence in the face of opposition does not come naturally. When people mock, criticise, or stand in the way of what we know God has called us to do, it’s easy to become discouraged. But Nehemiah’s response in Nehemiah 2:20 is a powerful reminder of how we should react when confronted by opposition. Nehemiah didn’t argue or try to convince his enemies. Instead, he boldly declared, “The God of heaven Himself will prosper us.” His confidence was in God, not in the approval or disapproval of men.
Nehemiah knew that when God gives an assignment, He also ensures its success. His response shows us that no amount of human opposition can derail God’s plans. Nehemiah’s faith wasn’t shaken by the scorn of Sanballat, Tobiah, and others. He didn’t need to prove his case to them because his focus was on God’s promise. It didn’t matter who stood against him—what mattered was that God was for him. This holy boldness came from a deep conviction that God’s purposes cannot be thwarted.
We, too, are called to approach our God-given assignments with this same level of confidence. When the world tells us we will fail or that we’re being foolish, we must stand firm in the truth that God alone is the one who promotes and prospers. As Psalm 75:7 reminds us, “God is the judge: He puts down one and sets up another.” It is God who determines the outcome, not the opinions of those around us. Nehemiah understood this, and so must we.
There is a lesson here about keeping our eyes on God and not on the opposition. Nehemiah didn’t let his enemies sidetrack him. Instead, he stayed focused on the work God had placed in his hands, trusting that God would bring success. As we move forward in obedience to God’s call on our lives, we must carry this same holy boldness, knowing that if God is for us, no one can stand against us.
PRAYER
Father, I place my confidence in You alone. Help me to stand firm in the face of opposition, knowing that You are the one who prospers and promotes me. Remind me not to be distracted by the voices of doubt around me, but to keep my focus on Your purpose for my life. Give me the same holy boldness that Nehemiah had, so that I can move forward in faith, trusting that You will bring success to the work You have given me. Amen.
