Nehemiah 4:3-5, Romans 8:37

Scott McKeown examines the solution to critical attacks based in Nehemiah 4:3-5

Scott McKeown

No, the solution is not verbal (or physical!!) retaliation!! But let's be honest, how often we are tempted to fight fire with fire when we are in the midst of a verbal attack! The attacker might call it constructive criticism, but all we feel is a destructive effect......

"You are spending time witnessing to drunkards? Late at night!!!? You fool, it'll make no difference!"

"Giving money to the homeless; all they will spend it on is drugs!"

"So you are volunteering to do odd jobs for those who are 'unable'.....you are not wise, they are just taking advantage of you!"

We expect criticism from unbelievers; those who have no care, time or affection towards Jesus. This makes sense since Christians are born of God, new creations, and thus no longer belonging to this world! (See John 8.23).

But criticism from within the family of God? Surely not?!.....

"I think you should have focused more on X in your talk, you spent too much time on Y."

"Why do you bother with the prayer focus groups, hardly anyone turns up?"

"I heard a few mistakes in that last piece of praise, did you not practice?"

Criticism from your own family, perhaps in the middle of an already spiritually tiring season of service to the Lord....it really hurts doesn't it? Some call it friendly fire, but there's nothing friendly about it when you are on the receiving end!

Have you been here? Perhaps you are presently facing this? My brother, my sister, this Life File is for you!!!

God is a perfect Father and like any good father looking out for His children, He gives us priceless advice when it comes to handling criticism. There are two pieces of wisdom found in Nehemiah 4:4-5, which I want with the Holy Spirit's help to show you, so you are best prepared for facing criticism.

"Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders."

1. The solution is to take the criticism and call it what it is before God. It is not an attack on you or me (not primarily!), but an attack on God, "...for they have provoked YOU to anger..." (emphasis added). Nehemiah asks for the public taunts and sarcasm of his attackers (Sanballat and Tobiah; read verses 1-3 for their tag team attack efforts!) to be turned on their heads.

Nehemiah's prayer is so important because it reminds us that when we are doing God's will and work, we are fighting for good and thus a critical spirit is against God alone. Therefore we can confidently bring our criticisers before God and simply ask that He has the final judgement. That may come in our time on earth, or it may not. In either case we leave it before God and move on.

2. When did Nehemiah respond in prayer? Immediately! Verses 1-3 show us the attack; verse 4 is Nehemiah's instant cry to God. Just like Scriven's old hymn, Nehemiah took it to the Lord in prayer! Not only does this leave judgement where it belongs, (with God alone), but it also allows us to forgive and not store up bitterness, which is a poison to the believer and work of God.

What God also shows us in these verses is that Nehemiah was concerned for his brothers who put their hands to the good work, ("...the builders..."). He knew the verbal assault of Sanballat and Tobiah was intended to smash hope. Rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem was no easy feat. Nehemiah's prayer was not only asking God to deal with the critics, but in doing so, empower his fellow workers by demonstrating they had nothing to fear! God was for them!!!

What was the result? The title over verse 15 of Nehemiah 4 in the ESV version of the Bible is, 'The work resumes'!!

Brother or sister in Jesus, have the critics attempted to derail Kingdom work in your life? Let us in that moment remember, it is God's work and it is therefore way too important to stop!!! When the criticisms come and come they will, let's take a leaf from Nehemiah's book; let us (a) take it to Jesus right away - he will have the final word and (b) let's be aware of fellow workers around us, so that in praying for each other, shoulder to shoulder and without fear, the work would go full steam ahead towards the King of Kings!

'No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.' Romans 8:37