Finish What You Started

Starting something is always easy; finishing what you started is the challenge. Especially when there is unrelenting opposition. We may expect some difficulty and challenges along the way, but at what point does the cost get too high?

At first, the enemies of Nehemiah and Judah mocked their goal of rebuilding. Next, they made threats and even planned sneak attacks. Nehemiah responded by setting up 24/7 defenses and armed the builders with swords. In Nehemiah 5, the unity of the Jews was unraveling as the wealthy were taking advantage of and profiting from those who were poor. Nehemiah confronted the sin and called them to share and serve one another, rather than exploiting their most vulnerable brothers. Now, as the opportunity to defeat Nehemiah's rebuilding effort was almost over. All that remained was to set up the doors for the gates, and the walls would be complete.

Left with no other options, the enemies of Nehemiah plotted to take him down directly. The only way to restore their power and keep the Jewish people living in defeat was to take down their leader.

How do you keep going when the opposition continues, and the personal danger increases?