Finishing God’s Work (Nehemiah 6)

How do you respond when pressure mounts and opposition stands in your way? What do you do when it feels like the very people you thought you could count on are working against you? In life, we often face moments where the obstacles seem relentless, and it can be tempting to lose focus, compromise, or give in to fear. But it's in those moments that our true faith and character are tested.

Today, we’re going to look at a story in Nehemiah’s life where he faced constant opposition, both from outside enemies and from those who should have been on his side. Yet through it all, Nehemiah shows us what it means to stay focused, to uphold integrity, and to trust God’s faithfulness—even when things seem overwhelming. Nehemiah’s story isn’t just about building a wall; it’s about building resilience, faith, and a deep trust in God. Let's dive into how he navigated these challenges and see what lessons we can take for our own lives today.

Seeing Through Deception (1-4)

Nehemiah 6:1–4 (ESV) — 1 Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates), 2 Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm. 3 And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” 4 And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner.

Nehemiah was a man on a mission, given a clear task by God: rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and restore the dignity of God’s people. But as we see in Nehemiah 6, not everyone was happy about this. In fact, the enemies of God’s people were relentless in their attempts to stop the work. Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem made several attempts to distract Nehemiah. They sent him repeated messages, asking him to meet them in the plain of Ono. At first glance, this might have seemed like an opportunity for diplomacy—a chance to smooth things over with those who had been opposing the work. But Nehemiah was discerning. He knew that their intentions were not for peace but to do him harm.

Here’s the first key lesson: Not every invitation is an opportunity from God. We live in a world filled with distractions. There are countless things that could pull us away from the work God has called us to do. Some distractions might be obvious, but others might come disguised as opportunities for connection or advancement. Yet, just as Nehemiah recognized the deceit behind the invitation to Ono, we must develop the discernment to know when something is a distraction from our God-given mission.

Nehemiah’s response is a model for us: “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down.” He stayed focused on what mattered most. He didn’t even entertain their repeated requests because he knew the real motive behind them. How often do we get sidetracked by things that seem important in the moment but are really pulling us away from what God has asked of us? We might get invitations to engage in activities or commitments that, while not bad in themselves, can distract us from the primary work God has set before us. Like Nehemiah, we must be able to say, “I cannot come down. The work is too important.”

Key Question: Are there “invitations” in your life that are pulling you away from what God has called you to do? How can you better discern distractions that threaten your mission?

The world will offer many distractions, but the work God has called us to is far greater. Nehemiah's discernment teaches us to focus on what truly matters and to trust God with the rest.

Standing Firm Against False Accusations (5-9)

Nehemiah 6:5–9 (ESV) — 5 In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. 6 In it was written, “It is reported among the nations, and Geshem also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king. 7 And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem, ‘There is a king in Judah.’ And now the king will hear of these reports. So now come and let us take counsel together.” 8 Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind.” 9 For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands.

When distractions failed, Nehemiah’s enemies escalated their tactics by sending an open letter accusing him of rebellion against the Persian king. This false accusation was meant to instill fear and undermine his leadership. But Nehemiah responded calmly, saying, “No such things as you say have been done,” and continued with the work, refusing to be distracted by fear or slander.

Here’s the key lesson: We must not be shaken by false accusations when we stand in God’s truth. Fear often causes us to become defensive or consumed by clearing our name, but Nehemiah shows us that our confidence must be in God. Instead of reacting out of fear, he stayed focused on the mission, trusting God to handle the lies.

Key Question: How do you respond when others misrepresent you or question your intentions? Are you letting fear distract you, or are you trusting God to defend you?

Nehemiah’s example encourages us to trust God, even in the face of falsehoods, and to remain focused on the task He’s given us, confident that God knows the truth and will vindicate us in His time.

When we face false accusations or slander, fear is often our first response. We worry about how others will perceive us. Will people believe the lies? Will our reputation be damaged? These are real concerns, and fear can easily take control, pushing us to react defensively or obsess over clearing our name. But when we let fear dictate our actions, we end up distracted from what truly matters—God’s work.

Nehemiah shows us a different way. Rather than giving in to fear or trying to defend himself in front of everyone, he remained calm and stayed on task. His confidence wasn’t rooted in human approval but in God’s truth. This is where we often fall short—we allow fear to make us defensive instead of trusting in God’s protection.

The reality is, people will sometimes spread lies about us, and our natural instinct is to fight back. But Nehemiah reminds us that when we stand in God’s truth, we don’t need to be consumed by defending ourselves. Instead, we can trust that God will defend us, and we can stay focused on the mission He has given us. Do you trust God enough to handle the lies and stay focused on His work?

Nehemiah’s ability to stay calm in the face of slander encourages us to respond with faith, not fear, trusting that God’s truth will prevail. His example calls us to maintain our focus on God’s work, no matter the distractions that come through lies and false accusations.

Upholding Integrity in Times of Fear (10-14)

Nehemiah 6:10–14 (ESV) — 10 Now when I went into the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home, he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple. Let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you. They are coming to kill you by night.” 11 But I said, “Should such a man as I run away? And what man such as I could go into the temple and live? I will not go in.” 12 And I understood and saw that God had not sent him, but he had pronounced the prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 For this purpose he was hired, that I should be afraid and act in this way and sin, and so they could give me a bad name in order to taunt me. 14 Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, according to these things that they did, and also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who wanted to make me afraid.

In a more subtle attack, Nehemiah faced internal pressure from Shemaiah, who urged him to hide in the temple to save his life. While this seemed like sound advice in a moment of fear, Nehemiah recognized it as a trap. He knew that entering the temple in such a way would violate God’s law, compromising his integrity. Nehemiah refused, choosing obedience to God over fear.

Key Lesson: Fear can tempt us to compromise, but integrity requires obedience to God, even when we’re afraid. Nehemiah’s decision to maintain his integrity, despite the danger, shows us that staying faithful to God’s commands is more important than self-preservation. Fear often pushes us toward shortcuts or compromises, but true faith stands firm, even when the stakes are high.

Key Question: Are there areas in your life where fear is tempting you to compromise your integrity? How can you trust God to protect you while remaining obedient to His commands?

Nehemiah’s unwavering integrity in the face of fear teaches us that our commitment to God’s ways must always come first. Even when fear looms large, we must trust that God will honor our obedience and keep us in His care. Fear may call for compromise, but integrity calls for trust in God.

Celebrating God’s Faithfulness (15-16)

Nehemiah 6:15–16 (ESV) — 15 So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. 16 And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.

Despite all the opposition, the wall around Jerusalem was completed in just 52 days. This wasn’t just an impressive construction project—it was a testimony to God’s faithfulness. Even Nehemiah’s enemies recognized that the work had been accomplished with the help of God, and they were humbled by it. The completion of the wall stood as a visible sign that, no matter how fierce the opposition, God’s purposes will always prevail.

Key Lesson: When we remain faithful, God will accomplish His work through us, and His power will be undeniable. The success of the wall wasn’t because of Nehemiah’s strength or strategy, but because of God’s intervention. When we persevere in what God has called us to do, it serves as a witness to His power and faithfulness, not only to us but to the world around us.

Key Question: How has God shown His faithfulness in your life, and are you taking time to celebrate it? Do others see God’s power at work in you through the victories He has given?

Nehemiah’s story reminds us to take time to celebrate God’s faithfulness. When God brings us through seasons of opposition or challenge, it’s not just for us—it’s to display His glory to the world. Like Nehemiah, we must celebrate and testify to God’s power, recognizing that our success comes from Him alone.

Staying Vigilant After Success (17-19)

Nehemiah 6:17–19 (ESV) — 17 Moreover, in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah’s letters came to them. 18 For many in Judah were bound by oath to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah: and his son Jehohanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah as his wife. 19 Also they spoke of his good deeds in my presence and reported my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to make me afraid.

Even after the wall was completed, the opposition didn’t disappear. Tobiah, one of Nehemiah’s key adversaries, continued to exert influence within the community. Some of the nobles of Judah, connected to Tobiah through marriage and alliances, maintained communication with him and even spoke highly of him to Nehemiah. This internal threat showed that, although the external work was done, the internal battle was far from over.

Key Lesson: Success doesn’t mean the end of opposition—we must stay vigilant, especially after victories. After moments of success, the temptation is to relax, but Nehemiah teaches us that internal threats can be just as dangerous as external ones. The enemy often works from within, using relationships and influence to undermine God’s work. We must remain discerning and continue to guard against division, compromise, and spiritual complacency.

Key Question: After experiencing success, are you remaining vigilant against internal threats and influences? Are there compromises creeping in, even in relationships or alliances that might be undermining your faithfulness to God?

Nehemiah’s story reminds us that, even after great victories, we must be on guard. The work of protecting what God has built doesn’t end with success—it requires ongoing vigilance and discernment. Internal influences, divided loyalties, or spiritual complacency can slowly erode the work of God if we let our guard down. Nehemiah challenges us to stay alert, even when the external battle seems to be won.

Conclusion

As we step back and look at Nehemiah’s story, the picture becomes clear. It’s not just a story about overcoming opposition or completing a monumental task—it’s a lesson in what it means to live a life of focus, integrity, and trust in God. Nehemiah faced relentless attacks, distractions, lies, and temptations to compromise. But in each moment, he remained grounded in his purpose, rooted in his faith, and unwavering in his commitment to honor God.

We, too, will face distractions, false accusations, and temptations to take shortcuts, especially when we’re doing God’s work. But just like Nehemiah, we are called to discern wisely, stand firm in truth, and uphold our integrity, no matter the cost. And when God brings us through it, we must celebrate His faithfulness, recognizing that our victories come from Him alone. Yet, even in our successes, we must stay vigilant, aware that the enemy’s tactics often shift from the outside to within.

So, as you walk out of here today, remember this: Faithfulness isn’t just about getting through the hard times—it’s about staying focused, obedient, and true to God through it all. When the pressure mounts and the opposition seems relentless, keep your eyes fixed on God’s purpose. He will accomplish His work in you, and when He does, may your life be a testimony to His power and faithfulness. Let’s commit to being people who trust Him through every challenge, celebrate His victories, and guard our hearts, staying vigilant even after the battle is won.