When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?” Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, “What they are building—if even a fox climbed up on it, he would break down their wall of stones!” Nehemiah 4:1-3
The enemies of Israel mocked Nehemiah and his workers because the wall was only half done. The wall, meant to repel invading armies, looked so weak that they joked even a fox could knock it down.
Sometimes, as you seek to grow in your faith, you’ll face similar ridicule. People might scoff at the new habits you’re trying to build, the character you’re striving to develop, or the old wounds you’re trying to heal. They see your progress as unfinished, imperfect, and question whether you’ll ever get there.
And maybe the loudest critic is inside your own head.
But don’t judge the results when the work is only half done. God doesn’t. Instead, hold on to this promise: “[Be] confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6
The wall in Jerusalem was rebuilt and it stood for centuries. In fact, some parts are still standing today. But the work Christ is doing in you? That’s going to last forever.
John Reside
First Christian Church
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of The Kewanee Voice.
