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Nehemiah
Written by Dr. Lester Hutson
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Studies
in Nehemiah
Lesson 9
RESPONDING
TO DISCOURAGEMENT
Nehemiah
4:10-23
Introduction
Remember that the enemies of truth and righteousness have already used
three distinct methods to stop the good work of God, which Nehemiah and his
people were doing. They first used (1) laughter and scorn. Then they used (2)
mockery and ridicule. They followed that with (3) terrorism and warfare.
Their next attack was INFILTRATION OF THE RANKS. "And our
adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst
among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease" (4:11). This
was Opposition #4. Their enemies said they had a plan, but
they wouldn't unveil it. They told them that they were going to do
something really bad, but they refused to tell them how they were going
to do it. This was an obvious scare tactic. It had no real
substance to it, certainly not as much as it appeared to have. It is easy to
make a boast. It it another thing to make it stand. 1 Kings 20:11. Consider
Judges 9. When threats come, they should always be well analyzed for what it is.
They should not be over-inflated.
Study
notes:
Discuss
personal cases where you have see threats succeed because they were
over-inflated.
They were discouraged. Discouragement so often follows opposition and
criticism. It is a most defeating flaw and condition. Consider verse 10, "And
Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much
rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall." This
discouragement had been brought on by four distinct factors.
1.
By the leaders. (Judah was the leader of the tribes. Genesis 49:8-10)
Leaders can discourage others quicker than anyone.
2.
By the constant pressure of this work.
3.
By the difficulty of the job.
4.
By the constant threats of the enemies. "The times,"
(4:12)
Study
notes:
Discuss
how important it is for wise leaders to be objective in recognizing the
pressures that are affecting their followers.
Negativism is very contagious. Notice how it affected the outlook of the
builders.
1.
"The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed..." They
were tired.
2.
"There is much rubbish..." They had lost their vision.
Their eyes were on the rubbish; not on the wall. Everyone has rubbish in life.
Focusing on it can defeat and ruin you.
Study notes:
Explain how "rubbish" has negatively impacted you and defeated
your work.
3.
"We are not able to build the wall..." They had lost
their confidence. They lost heart; didn't think they could do it.
4.
"Our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we
come in the midst among them, and slay them..." They had lost
their security. Many a time the loss of a security blanket
produces great discouragement. (Job, home, mate, friend.)
Study
notes:
Has
something like this happened to you? Share.
Nehemiah's response to this attack is a classic example of how to deal
with discouragement. Please note that he did not ignore it. Like a flat tire,
discouragement will not just go away. It must be addressed and prayer alone is
not enough. Nehemiah used five techniques to address discouragement.
I. HE UNIFIED
THEIR EFFORTS TOWARD A COMMON GOAL. (4:13)
"I
even set the people after their families."
A. He put family units
together.
Study
notes:
Discuss
the wisdom of this move.
B. Self preservation
is a common goal of all.
1. Nehemiah
was able to turn attention from self to the enemy and its defeat. He turned
attention to family preservation. He said in verse 1, "fight for your
brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses."
2. He replaced self
pity with self preservation ."Families" are a great source
of strength and encouragement. Nehemiah refocused the people.
C.
He
temporarily stopped the work.
1. This
is often the best way to whip discouragement.
2. Workaholics
are not always the best leaders.
3. People
need time off to rest, recover and recharge. Take time off.
Study
notes:
Is
there a need for this in your family? What are you going to do about it? Do you
suppose it will ever happen if you do not deliberately plan and schedule such a
break?
II.
HE DIRECTED THEIR ATTENTION TO THE LORD.
(4:14) "Remember the
Lord."
A. Don't focus on the
rubbish; focus on the Lord.
B. Get attention on the
Lord by remembering what He said and did.
1.
His greatness.
Study notes:
If you think God is so great, explain why.
2.
His promises.
Study notes:
Name five of God's promises.
3.
Personal victories with Him.
Study
notes:
Do
you have any personal victories to remember? Name one.
III.
HE MAINTAINED A BALANCE OF THOUGHT AND ACTION. (4:14-18)
"Remember
the Lord" and "fight."
A. Get into action. There is
a time to quit thinking about it and do something. "Fight."
B. "Fight"
and "work." "And it came to pass from that time forth, that
the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held
both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers
were behind all the house of Judah. They which builded on the wall, and they
that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands
wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. For the builders,
every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded
the trumpet was by me" (4:16-18).
1.
It was not all "fight" and no "work" or
all "work" and no "fight." There was a
balance.
2.
Stand, fight and work. Ephesians 6:10-18.
Study
notes:
Have
you considered that a lack of balance in your life could be the root of many of
your problems and lack of productivity?
IV.
HE DETERMINED A RALLYING POINT.
(4:20) "In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort
ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us."
A. A place.
1.
Wherever the trumpet sounded.
2.
This is a precursor of the church. Hebrews 10:24-25.
Study
notes:
Do
you really think that you will ever fully overcome your discouragement apart
from participation in one of the Lord's churches?
B.
A
principle.
1. Don't
try to fight (do it) all alone. We all need the support and help of church and
friends in the Lord. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. 1 Corinthians 12:14-27. Ephesians
4:16.
2. We all need
accountability, someone to whom we can bare our soul and account, share our
hurts and help with our loneliness. We all need those with whom we can rally in
battle.
Study
notes:
Do
you have someone to whom you can rally in the hour of need? Why not?
V.
HE DEVELOPED A SERVING ATTITUDE IN THIS PEOPLE. (4:21-23)
"They
may be a guard to us."
A. Not self, but others. They
looked out for each other. This was a team effort; not an every men for
himself approach.
B. Their dedication and
vigilance is obvious. (4:23)
Study notes:
Are you on a team? Why not?
"It Does Make a Difference What You
Believe"