Refuse To Be Discouraged

We have recently studied the book of Nehemiah in our Wednesday night Bible class. Nehemiah worked hard at challenging the people of Israel to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. His Gentile enemies were constantly trying to discourage them. One of their tactics was to taunt them. 'Tobiah said, "Even what they are building -- if a fox should jump on it, he would break their stone wall down!" (Neh. (4:3) Goliath tried the same tactic against David, "Come to me and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the beasts of the field." ( I Samuel 17:44) A discouraging remark can be a deadly weapon. But Nehemiah and David refused to surrender to such remarks and achieved great victories.
   
Muhammad Ali used taunting in his boxing tactics to defeat his opponents. In 1974 he taunted George Foreman with "Hit harder! Show me something George. That don't hurt. I thought you were supposed to be bad." Foreman punched harder and faster wasting his energy which led to his defeat.
 
 God doesn't taunt us but rather promises us, "I will never desert you, nor will ever I ever forsake you." (Heb. (13:5) And God also invites us to rely on His help, "Therefore, let us draw near, ...so that we may receive mercy and grace to help in time of need." (Heb. 4:16)