극심한 반대를 만나도 Even in the Face of Fierce Opposition

극심한 반대를 만나도 Even in the Face of Fierce Opposition 바벨론에 유다가 망하며 많은 사람이 포로로 잡혀가고 예루살렘 성은 무너진 상태에서 바벨론이 멸망하고 파사가 집권하여 이스라엘 백성의 본국 귀환을 허락하였다. 그들이 돌아간 예루살렘의 형편은 너무나 달랐다. 성과 성전은 파괴되고 땅은 폐허가 되었지만 그들 스스로 생존하기에 분주하고 그들 스스로의 지도자나 독립성이 없었다. 이런 소식을 들은 파사왕의 관리 느헤미야는 휴가를 얻어 예루살렘에 돌아가 성벽 재건에 착수하여 무너진 곳을 연결하고 성의 높이 절반에 이르렀다. 이를 안 원수들로 산발랏 도비야 아라비아 암몬 아스돗 사람들이 분노하여 이를 제지하고자 하여 말로 위협하고 무력행사를 하고자 한다. 심지어 유다 사람들도 합세하여 할 일은 많은데 힘이 빠졌다고 하고 원수들과 함께 성벽재건을 중단하도록 열번이나 나섰다. 상벽보다 사는 것이 더 우선한다는 생각일 수 있으리라. 느헤미야의 성벽 재건은 아주 심각한 반대를 만났다. 느헤미야는 백성과 함께 하나님께 기도하고 백성의 지도자로 무기를 가지고 경비하며 지키게 하고 반대가 심할 수록 더욱 무장 배치하여 원수에게 틈을 주지 않도록 하고 재건의 일을 지속하였다. 원수를 보면 무섭고 두려워 일을 중단하여야 할 것이나 그럼에도 지극히 크고 두려우신 여호와 하나님을 바라보고 그에게 기도하며 일을 진행하며 만약의 일에 대비하여 철저하게 준비하고 대응한다. 밤낮으로 무장 경비하며 일을 하여 결국 52일만에 성벽 재건을 완성하고 하나님께 봉헌하며 찬양하였다. 하나님을 바라고 그와의 관계가 회복되면 하나님이 능력으로 역사하여 모든 원수를 물리치고 자기 백성을 지키시고 할 일을 하게 하신다.. 트럼프대통령이 금년 미국독립 250년을 맞아 미국을 하나님께 다시 봉헌하는 행사를 하였다. 그간 미국이 너무나 인본적인 방향으로 동성애를 용인할 뿐 아니라 그들을 대통령 측근 지도자로 삼고 있었고 국경을 열고 누구나 들어와 투표권을 행사하며 마약과 범죄를 행하였다. 국가의 법치와 질서가 무너진 형편을 트럼프가 다시 재건하고자 노력하는 가운데 세번이나 생명의 위협을 받았으나 물러서지 않고 기도하며 일을 진행하고 있다. 주께서 미국을 지키시고 산 위의 불 켜진 동리로 역할 하도록 하실 것이라 믿으며 기도한다. 나라의 큰 일만 아니라 개인에게도 같은 일이 언제나 일어난다. 그러나 주를 위한 일이고 공익을 위한 것이라면 하나님의 도우심을 구하며 좌절하지 말고 지혜를 모아 회복의 날을 바라보며 나아가면 때가 되어 일이 이루어질 것이다. Even in the Face of Fierce Opposition When Judah fell to Babylon, many of its people were taken into exile, and the walls of Jerusalem were destroyed. Then Babylon itself fell, and Persia came to power, allowing the people of Israel to return to their homeland. The situation they found in Jerusalem was completely different from what they had known before. The city and the temple had been destroyed, and the land lay in ruins. Yet the people were so busy simply trying to survive that they had no strong leaders or sense of independence to rebuild their nation. When Nehemiah, an official serving the king of Persia, heard this news, he obtained permission to take leave and returned to Jerusalem. He began rebuilding the walls, connecting the broken sections, and eventually the wall had been restored to about half its original height. When their enemies heard about this, they became furious and tried to stop the work. Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the people of Ashdod threatened the builders with words and even prepared to use force against them. Even some of the people of Judah joined them, saying, “There is too much rubble, and we are losing our strength.” Together with the enemies, they tried again and again—ten times—to make the people stop rebuilding the wall. Perhaps they thought that simply staying alive was more important than rebuilding the wall. Nehemiah’s rebuilding project therefore faced extremely serious opposition. Nehemiah, however, prayed to God together with the people. As their leader, he also organized them to carry weapons and stand guard. The stronger the opposition became, the more carefully he positioned armed guards so that the enemy would have no opportunity to attack. He continued the work without giving up. When we see an enemy approaching, we naturally become frightened and may think that we should stop what we are doing. But Nehemiah looked instead to the Lord, the great and awesome God. He prayed to Him, continued the work, and at the same time made thorough preparations for any possible attack. They worked while remaining armed and guarded the city day and night. Finally, after only fifty-two days, the wall of Jerusalem was completed. The people dedicated it to God and praised Him. When we look to the Lord and our relationship with Him is restored, God works through His power. He defeats our enemies, protects His people, and enables us to accomplish the work He has given us. This year, as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary of independence, President Trump held an event dedicating America once again to God. In recent years, America has moved in an increasingly human-centered direction, not only accepting homosexuality but also placing some of its advocates in positions close to the highest levels of government. The nation has also faced serious problems related to an open border, illegal immigration, drugs, and crime. The rule of law and social order have been seriously challenged. As President Trump has sought to rebuild the nation’s law and order, he has faced threats to his life on three occasions. Yet he has not retreated. He continues to move forward, seeking to carry out his work while praying for God’s protection and guidance. I believe and pray that the Lord will protect America and enable it to fulfill its role as a light on a hill, shining before the nations. What happens to a nation also happens in the lives of individuals. We all encounter opposition, difficulties, and moments when we are tempted to give up. But if what we are doing is for the Lord and for the good of the community, we should seek God’s help, refuse to become discouraged, and use the wisdom God gives us. If we continue moving forward with hope for the day of restoration, the work will eventually be accomplished in God’s appointed time.