Nehemiah 2:9,10
“Then I came to the governors of the provinces beyond the Euphrates River and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen. And when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about it, it was very displeasing to them that someone had come to seek the welfare of the sons of Israel.”
Nehemiah is doing a good work. His is acting as God instrument to aid His people. However, those in power were unhappy about it. We are also enlisted by God to do His work. “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven”. God seeks to spread His kingdom in our lives and to use us to spread it to others.
Acts 1:8 says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” As we walk with God as His children we grow closer to Him. He assists us and blesses us as we trust Him. He wants us to share that with others.
However, that can make people feel guilty as they don’t want to change their lives. We become an offense to them. That gets translated into them not liking us and giving us a hard time. It can get far more complicated. People can cause us a lot of problems. They can jeopardize our jobs. They have caused much grief. They may not even be aware of why they dislike us. God gives us insight.
Jesus gives us the reason for their animosity towards us in John 15:20, “Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well.”
If these are persecuting us because of Jesus, it gives it a more sinister tone. It’s almost as if they are working for the evil one. There are varying degrees of this.
I’m thinking of one in my life that brings grief. I seek to love at opportunities, but do not trust them. They are like the ones in todays passage. They seek us harm. We aren’t to associate with them. To share God’s message to them is casting pearls before swine.
This was a difficult lesson. I sought to reconcile with them. I felt the Lord blocking my path. That would have further been casting pearls before swine. What’s awkward is that I see them daily. I’m civil if I pass them, but seek to avoid them mostly. Fortunately God has given them some space from this one next year. I’m grateful for that.
I have a christian brother that isn’t a fan of me. In one sense I do the same thing. However, I do respond when they reach out. There are other times when they want nothing to do with me. I ignore the cold shoulder and associate with those that I can.
Thank You, Lord, for Your guidance and the wisdom You impart. We are so blessed with Your guidance. Thank You!