When Building A Life For GodSample

Expect Ridicule

Before Nehemiah ever picked up the first stone to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, ridicule of his efforts came. Funny how that works isn’t it? It’s almost as if the same moment you decide to go on the offense in doing something for God, Satan is there setting up his defense to stop you. 

According to Nehemiah 2:19, this ridicule came to Nehemiah in the form of others laughing at him, despising him, and trying to place doubts in his mind. Ever had anyone laugh at the plans you feel God has for your life? Has anyone ever despised you for using your gifts for the Lord and His work? Has anyone ever tried to place doubts in your mind of the purpose to which God has called you? It happened to Nehemiah and you can expect it to happen to you.

In 2 Timothy 3:12, Paul, an older, experienced Christian, tells his young protege Timothy to expect persecution if he chooses to live a godly life. That word persecution literally means “harassment and to be fought against”.

Now you might be asking yourself, “Why in the world should I continue to follow God if I can expect ridicule and this persecution?” But let me put it to you another way-- very little resistance ever comes to those who merely go with the flow and follow the crowd, but those who resist the flow are the ones who make the change. In other words, making a difference for God can only be done by being different. 

In exercise, every muscle that is continually met with the resistance of a weight gets stronger. Likewise, every person who is continually met with the resistance of this spiritually dark world will only get stronger if it EXPECTS RIDICULE and faces it with help from God and others. 

PRAYER POINT FOR THE DAY: Ask God to help you face the ridicule that may come your way with courage, determination, and a dependence on Him.