Voices of Distraction and Threat

Voices of Distraction

After the rebuilding of the wall had been successfully completed, Nehemiah received an interesting invitation.

When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it—though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates—Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.”
– Nehemiah 6:1-2a

Ono was about twenty miles from Jerusalem in a beautiful, lush area. Nehemiah had been working hard and certainly deserved a little retreat. But the wise leader discerned the real reason for the invitation. He realized that his enemies were scheming to harm him (Nehemiah 6:2b). Nehemiah dealt with the invitation quickly and decisively.

So I sent messengers to them with this reply: I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?
-Nehemiah 6:3

How do you deal with distractions?

 The more success you have; the more distractions will come—awards, plaques, bonuses, promotions, requests for advice, head hunters at your door. Be careful. You’ll be tempted to forget about God. That’s what Satan is after. He attempts to use everything in our life—even the good things—to take your heart away from God. We will be well served to follow Nehemiah’s lead: 

I am just going to stay here and keep my focus on the mission that God has called me to.

After Nehemiah’s initial reply, he had ample opportunity to change his mind: “Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer” (Nehemiah 6:4). Since the invitation to Ono didn’t work, Nehemiah’s enemies tried another angle.

Voices of Threat

Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his aide to me with the same message, and in his hand was an unsealed letter in which was written: “It is reported among the nations– and Geshem says it is true-that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall. Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king.
-Nehemiah 6:5-6

This time, Sanballat and his men tried starting a rumor by putting forth an undocumented account. I have talked to a lot of people and this is what they are saying…. Nehemiah, though, knew the purpose of the threat was to fill him and his people with fear. He said, “They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, ‘Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed’” (Nehemiah 6:9a).

If you are involved in a great endeavor for God, not everyone is going to agree with your mission. The rumor mill may well be an effort to get you off track. Learn from Nehemiah. He dealt with rumors by defending the truth: “I sent him this reply: ‘Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head’” (Nehemiah 6:8). But even strong leaders like Nehemiah are not strong enough to lead alone. After sending his reply, Nehemiah prayed “Now strengthen my hands” (Nehemiah 6:9b).

Nehemiah did not take it upon himself to squelch every rumor. He simply defended the truth, prayed, and let God handle the rest.