An Unsealed Letter (Nehemiah 6:5)

 


Thursday, October 31, 2024


Psalm 83

Nehemiah 5:14-6:9

2 Peter 2:12-3:2


Observance: Martin Luther (d. 1546) and other Continental Reformers


An Unsealed Letter (Nehemiah 6:5)


When considering the type of opposition the Christian faces, one realises that there is actually not much substance to that opposition at all. St Peter describes opponents to the Christian faith as “springs without water and mists driven by a storm”. (2 Peter 2:17) If the consistent message of scripture is to be bold, to be courageous, to hold faith in the Lord and trust in his willingness to save, then it all actually seems a little silly to have to say it out loud.


Nehemiah was facing opposition to his work leading the rebuilding of Jerusalem. And his opposition was so ridiculously obvious he didn’t bat an eyelid. Four times they tried to trap him on the plain of Ono; four times he saw through their silly scheme to harm him. And on the fifth time, they included a letter, this time raising the stakes higher.


They knew what they were doing; Nehemiah knew what they were doing. Did they know that Nehemiah knew what they were doing? The letter wasn’t even sealed; anyone could have read what was inside, and it was obvious for all to see that this was their plan all along: to spread lies and rumours and bring about his downfall.


A childish scheme, for which Nehemiah had no time. “Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?” (Neh 6:3) Often it is the case that people want to talk to us because they sense the light of Christ, and want to find out more about the Lord. But, every so often, there are distractions, trying to pull us away from the kingdom work to which we have been called. And these distractions are usually petty things, and any attempt to raise the stakes and start spreading lies about us deserves the same response that Nehemiah gave: “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.” (Neh 6:8)


To figure out which is which takes wisdom and discernment. But meditating on texts like the one today from 2 Peter helps us greatly in that regard. St Peter gives us some wonderful advice: “I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Saviour through your apostles.” (2 Peter 3:2) What are the distractions in your life? How could you introduce the message of Jesus into those distractions so that they become kingdom work?


Jesus, my Lord and Saviour: teach me to discern between distractions and opportunities, and give me the grace to excel in all circumstances, for your name’s sake, and for the sake of your kingdom.

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