Saturday, 16^th September 2023

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

TOPIC: CONFRONTING MOCKERY

THEME SCRIPTURE: “But beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; how that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lust.” – Jude 1:17-18

 

PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:

1. How should God’s people deal with mockery?

 

One of the things which is discouraging is mockery. It has the potential to break confidence and curtail a person’s strategic mental powers. Over the centuries, the Christian faith has experienced all forms of mockery in an attempt to discourage believers. In the days of Nehemiah, the case was not different.

The king of Persia had blessed Nehemiah’s adventure to go and rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem. This same king had granted him supplies to undertake the project. The remnant in Jerusalem also rallied around him to rebuild. If you were Nehemiah, you would have concluded that the Lord has ordered your steps.

Truly, the Lord had ordered the steps of Nehemiah. But it did not exclude him from the mockery of men. Sanballat and Tobiah the Ammonite appeared to be opposition to Nehemiah and what God has called him to do in Jerusalem. Having tried all strategies to stop Nehemiah and his people from rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, they resorted to mockery (Neh 4:1). They spoke and mocked, saying, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore it for themselves…Can they revive the stones from the heaps of the dust and rubbish, even the ones that have been burnt” (Neh 4:2)? What was annoying was when Tobiah added this: “Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall” (Neh 4:3).

Precious one, Nehemiah responded to Sanballat and Tobiah’s mockery. Not the way you will expect. Nehemiah did not shout back at Sanballat and Tobiah. He was not tempted to device a counterattack at them.

Rather, he turned to God. Nehemiah prayed and he did it aggressively and in a hostile manner (Neh 4:4-5). He was neither polite or kind. But you, O child of God, must remember the words of Jesus, our Master. How He instructed us to love our enemies, blessing all those who curse us whiles doing good to those who hate us. He instructed us to pray for those who despitefully use us and persecute us (Matt 5:44).

Beloved, in these last days, mockers are all over as indicated in our theme scripture. They are doing everything to discourage believers in Christ.

They mock that we pray to a God who does not exist; we aim for a heaven that is not real. They mock that Christians are boring and wonder why an intelligent person would be a Christian. They do all these because they are troubled by our advancement in the faith. They seek to discourage us, seeking to break our confidence. Beloved, when you experience mockery, remember that, like Sanballat and Tobiah, the mocker is uncomfortable with who we are and the influence we carry. Don’t give mockers your discouragement. Rather, be encouraged the more in Christ. In addition, pray for them. Pray that they will also come to the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus. Pray for them; that their eyes would be open to see the light of Christ. Always and at any time, confront mockery with a prayer of blessing. Remain blessed.

 

FURTHER READING – Nehemiah 4:1-6

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so. 

 

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:

1. Are you facing mockery in your life?
2. How have you been handling it?

 

PRAYER

Precious Father, I pray for all those who hate me, and all those who have mocked me because I say I am born of God. Dear Lord, I receive your mercies and compassion for them. Such that your light will find them and your power will save them wherever they are today. I bless them all, in Jesus’ precious name. Hallelujah!

 

1-Year Bible Reading Plan

2 Kings 22; 1 Kings 23; Ezekiel 12; Luke 8