STANDARD LESSON RESOURCES
DEVOTIONS
WINTER 2026

February 23

Silencing Sanballat

He [Sanballat] ridiculed the Jews, and in the presence of his associate and the army of Samaria, he said, "What are those feeble Jews doing?" (Nehemiah 4:1b-2)

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:15-23
Song: "Be Strong in the Lord"

My jaw dropped when I learned the English department of my regional campus would not clear me to teach freshman composition, even though I had majored in English and taught the course successfully at another regional campus. And the more I tried to make my case, the more they resisted. Even when the chair of the department gave me a positive recommendation, it wasn't enough.

Similarly, it didn't matter what the Jews did, how diligent they were, or how pure their motives were. Sanballat and his men ridiculed them and found fault with everything they did. Sanballat had an adversarial mindset that wasn't going to change. But the Israelite persevered in steadfast faith and practical wisdom, and God ultimately granted them victory.

The English department never cleared me to teach freshman composition - but I was unexpected invited to teach an upper-level course that should have been out of my reach. Victories often come about in unexpected ways. But this passage reminds us to persevere, to take the necessary action, and - most of all - to trust God.

Fathe, please help me trust You when the battle rages and the opposition is intense. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.