Passage Read: Nehemiah 4-7
Meditation Verses: 4:4-5
Thought
Jesus commanded His followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them. Nehemiah asked God to remember their enemies and their insults, and judge them accordingly. David had prayed something similar, but only after doing all he could to show kindness to those who hated him. We are being insulted majorly online at present. Nehemiah didn't argue with those who threatened or insulted him, apart from denying their accusations once. He kept at the work and prayed for courage and strength for the builders, that they wouldn't falter in the work. He knew there was no changing the minds of his accusers, that they only had one goal. So He asked God to deal with them, to do to them what they sought to do to the Israelites.
Application
I do pray that the Lord would grant repentance to those who are accusing us of wickedness and blaspheming against the Lord. But the Lord knows that often we must suffer humiliation until we are willing to repent. I do pray that it would not require some terrible circumstances to bring these people to repentance, but if there is no other way, then bring their insults back on them and rebuke them according to their evil deeds and words. Let an oppressor come against them so they see who they are, and their own injustice, and plead with You for mercy, and when they repent, grant them mercy that leads to salvation. Vindicate us, Lord. I know that when You return, You will honor us for all the insults we endured as we did Your will, so help us remain faithful and not lose heart