Now these are Thy servants and Thy people, whom Thou hast redeemed by Thy great power, and by Thy strong hand. Nehemiah 1:10
There were not many of them, just three or four families, plus a couple of old ladies and three single young men. And they stood out in their mostly Roman Catholic community because they appeared to be different. They were shunned and mistreated by those around them because they did not take part in the community events that were primarily based on the religious holidays of the Roman church. They did not desire to mingle with those things that they felt were unscriptural, preferring to meet quietly and reverently in the home of one of the families. They tried to be friendly with their neighbours, but their friendliness was mostly rejected. They were unfairly treated at local businesses, and were mocked openly when they appeared in public. They were greeted with open hostility when they tried to share the Gospel, and one couple even had food thrown at them when they bowed their heads to give thanks for a meal at a local restaurant. Over the years, nothing much changed. The little group of Christians faithfully carried on, and the community continued its persecution. Much like the situation that Nehemiah was praying about in today’s text.
Little groups of Christians are often persecuted by the enemies of God. Some of us have even been part of such companies enduring persecution. But the words of Nehemiah should serve to encourage us in such situations. As Nehemiah considered the struggling remnant of the Lord’s people in Jerusalem, he prayed for God’s preserving hand upon them, and for restoration. He recognized who these people were in the sight of God, regardless of how they appeared to their enemies. He reminded God of their relationship to Him and of His redemption of them. These are good things for us to keep in mind when things are not going well in our experience. As God’s servants and His people, and as the redeemed of the Lord, He will not leave us to ourselves nor abandon us. But sometimes He allows us to endure affliction so that we might turn to Him for help.
It was not easy living in Jerusalem in those days. But those who did so were comforted by the knowledge that they were where God wanted them to be. Despite the presence, and the apparent upper hand, of those all around them who cared nothing for the things of God, they knew they were being obedient, occupying ground that had been given to them by the Lord. That is exactly the situation that we find ourselves in today. God has left us among enemies, those who have no time or interest in the Gospel or in anything of God. We are told to occupy, to do business for our Lord until His return.
We must never lose heart even when we feel we are overwhelmed by our enemies, because God never forgets who we are and how important we are to Him and to His program. -Jim MacIntosh