Nehemiah 4:2 “And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?”
When the Lord moved Nehemiah to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls and buildings that had been destroyed, he encountered seemingly insurmountable troubles and opposition. But, they soon learned that there is no task too great and no adversary that cannot be defeated when the Lord is with His people to strengthen them and fight for them. Their adversaries reveled in the destruction, so they threatened and mocked the workers, trying to discourage them. They laughed at them; saying, “Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall” (Nehemiah 4:3). Discouragement is one of the devil’s most effective weapons against the Children of God. So, the faithful workers immediately went to the Lord in prayer; and said, “Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their own head …” (Nehemiah 4:4). Then, having faith in their Lord, they went right back to work: “So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.” (Nehemiah 4:6). We shouldn’t be surprised that the adversaries are still mocking and laughing at the faithful Children of God who are trying to “revive” after storms, floods, injuries, sickness (virus), etc. So, while the adversaries are mocking and laughing; let us, pray, “Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?” (Psalms 85:6); and, just keep right on working and serving and worshiping our Lord – and rejoicing in the “great love” (Ephesians 2:4) and Sovereign Power of our Merciful God! By the grace and mercy of our God, they did indeed “revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish”; so will we!