“But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews” (Nehemiah 4:1).
“It’s hard to live for the Lord around that bunch of guys, isn’t it, Honey?” Ruth asked her husband with genuine concern in her heart. Not wanting her to worry about him, Randy simply said, “I appreciate your prayers. It will be fine.” Ruth’s dad worked in the same area. One evening as the family was over to Ruth’s parents’ home for dinner, her dad expressed his appreciation to Randy at the table in front of Randy’s family. “Randy, I know how much these guys in our department taunt you. They ridicule your testimony and make fun of you regularly. I have appreciated how you have taken it. You strongly look them in the eye and there is a boldness and sheer power in your voice. And yet, there is so much grace. I am ashamed to admit that I have not lived for the Lord like I should. Never have they laughed at me. But you have lived well. Unsaved people laugh at you because of your Godly testimony. I am so glad that you married my daughter.” Ruth and Randy’s little boy Jeffrey piped up, “Me, too, cause I don’t think I’d be here and I want some of Grandma’s cake.” The moment was somewhat lost, but later that night Ruth hugged her husband and said, “They laughed at Nehemiah too, Honey. I am so proud of you.”
For today: I have to ask myself, “How much has your testimony cost you, Michael?” How about you?