Nehemiah 2:19-20 But when Sanballat the Horowitz, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? Will ye rebel against the king? Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us, therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.
The Enemies of God and of His kingdom will oppose the building and fortifying of the kingdom of God. These worldly enemies used by the Enemy of souls are here named. When they heard what Nehemiah was trying to do, they laughed them to scorn and derision. Nehemiah answered back with faith: God will prosper us, and so we will arise and build. Nehemiah had faith in God’s Word and Promise, and he had the courage of conviction that the Lord wanted him to rebuild. And with God nothing would stop him.
We also recognize that we have spiritual enemies that will try to prevent and hinder the building up of the kingdom of God in our hearts. We will be laughed at for believing in Jesus Christ. We put on the armor of God (the shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit, etc.) and stand against and resist the attacks of the Evil One. Building up the defenses against Sin, Death, and the Devil will be resisted by the devil, the world, and our flesh. Therefore we respond by weekly church attendance and daily devotions to build up the walls in our heart against evil forces that seek to destroy us, our souls, and our lives.
This requires the courage of faith that God is with us to grant us His life, peace, and protection. The Gospel strengthens our faith to believe that the Lord will do what He says and prosper us in His kingdom. Count on it. Live by it.