The Need to Move Forward

Life will knock us down. Trials will test our faith, and discouragement will try to anchor us in defeat. But the Bible doesn’t call us to stay down—it calls us to press forward. Paul reminds us that only those who run with endurance receive the prize (1 Corinthians 9:24). And Jesus promises that those who overcome will reign with Him (Revelation 3:21). Nehemiah’s example shows how godly leadership, honest assessment, and unwavering trust in God allow us to move forward even in the face of overwhelming challenges.

Encouragement Is Given
In Nehemiah 2:17–18, we see a leader who doesn’t sugarcoat the problem. Nehemiah had already made a careful, personal inspection of the ruined walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:11–15). He saw the devastation and spoke clearly about it. He neither panicked nor exaggerated. He told the people the truth. We must do the same when confronting life’s brokenness. Pretending everything is fine or catastrophizing does no good. Clarity helps us move forward.

Notice Nehemiah’s language—“we” and “us.” He made it clear this wasn’t his problem alone; it was a shared burden. That’s how the church is meant to operate (Galatians 6:2). Christians bear each other’s burdens. We suffer together, and we build together. Nehemiah strengthened their resolve by recounting how God had already worked in his life—how the king had supported him and how God’s hand was upon him (Nehemiah 2:7–8). He pointed backward to God’s providence in order to inspire faith moving forward.

Finally, he urged them to unite: “Let us rise up and build.” This wasn’t just about walls—it was about dignity, restoration, and shared purpose. They were tired of being mocked, and Nehemiah knew that with God’s help, they could become a people no longer defined by disgrace. That kind of unity still fuels the church today (Hebrews 10:24–25).

The Opposition Is Dealt With
Opposition always shows up when you’re doing something that matters. In Nehemiah 2:10, enemies already began to stir. In verses 19–20, Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem mocked the Israelites and questioned their motives. This is how Satan works (2 Corinthians 2:11). He plants fear, doubt, and ridicule to halt God’s people. But Nehemiah stood firm. He refused to let mockery or intimidation deter him.

He placed his confidence in God, not in himself (Psalm 18:6). He knew this was God’s mission, not man’s. He boldly told his opponents that they had no portion in Jerusalem. Why? Because they were not on the Lord’s side. Nehemiah didn’t waste time trying to please everyone—he focused on the work and the One who assigned it.

He spoke the truth plainly, even in front of his enemies (Nehemiah 4:4–5). He didn’t hide in fear. He trusted that the God who called him would see the work through to completion. That is the same confidence we must have when facing adversity.

Conclusion
You may be facing ruins in your life—broken walls, shattered dreams, discouraging setbacks. You may feel like giving up. But take courage. Nehemiah didn’t give up. He leaned on God, united with others, and stood firm against opposition. So can you. Move forward, not because the task is easy, but because God is with you in the work.

 

Sermon Outline:

Introduction:

When life knocks you down, it’s easy to stay down. When the road gets rough, it’s easy to just quit. But the Bible is quite clear that quitters don’t win. (I Corinthians 9:24) Only those who overcome get to sit with Jesus on His throne in heaven. (Revelation 3:2) So we must have the courage and the determination to keep moving forward. Nehemiah provides us with a great example of how this is done.

Text: Nehemiah 2:17-20

Body:

I. Encouragement Is Given (Verses 17-18)

· Nehemiah doesn’t sugarcoat nor exaggerate the problem. He tells the people what the situation truly is. He had made a thorough examination of the city to see the extent of the damage. (Nehemiah 2:11-15) His words to them were clear and realistic. We must do the same when we encounter difficulties. We must not under-nor-over estimate the problem.

· Nehemiah stressed it was the whole nation’s problem. Note the use of “we” and “us.” It is very discouraging to think the problem is all yours and that you have no help. (Galatians 6:2)

· To encourage the people, Nehemiah sketched the history of his past life and showed how God’s providence had worked in his life. (Nehemiah 2:7-8, Psalm 37:23)

· He called for them to be united in their efforts. “Let us build.” There was a determination to work together for the goal; so that they would no longer suffer derision or be a reproach. (Nehemiah 1:3, Psalm 44:13) They were to exhort and encourage one another as are we. (Hebrews 10:24-25) 

II. The Opposition Is Dealt With (Verses 19-20)

· When things are going well, opposition arises. (Nehemiah 2:10) (II Corinthians 2:11, Psalm 121:1-2)

· Religion is often the subject of ridicule. Its beliefs are scorned and jeered. Refuse to give in to scare tactics. (Nehemiah 6:5-9) Place your confidence in God. (Psalm 18:6)

· Nehemiah says that Jehovah is with him, not with Tobiah, . . . He says that he has a divine sanction for his work and that Tobiah will get nothing. He has a great work to do and he is not going to let them sidetrack him from doing it. The faithful child of God always has an advantage because God is with him.

· Nehemiah did not hesitate to speak the truth in front of his enemies. (Nehemiah 4:4-5)

Conclusion:

We must have courage to move forward. The future may seem scary. Not everyone is happy to move forward; so opposition may arise. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the task ahead. But remember that if you are doing God’s work, He is with you. 

Bobby Stafford

April 27, 2014