Boxing legend Muhammad Ali used several ring tactics to defeat his opponents; one tactic was taunting. In his fight with George Foreman in 1974, Ali taunted Foreman, Hit harder! Show me something, George. That dont hurt. I thought you were supposed to be bad. Fuming, Foreman punched away furiously, wasting his energy and weakening his confidence.
Its an old tactic. By referring to Nehemiahs efforts at rebuilding the broken wall of Jerusalem as nothing more than a foxs playground (Neh. 4:3), Tobiah intended to weaken the workers with poisonous words of discouragement. Goliath tried it on David by despising the boys simple weapons of a sling and stones (1 Sam. 17:41-44).
A discouraging remark can be a deadly weapon. Nehemiah refused to surrender to Tobiahs discouragements, just as David rejected Goliaths diabolical teasing. Focusing on God and His help rather than on their discouraging situations, David and Nehemiah both achieved victory.
Taunting can come from anybody, including those who are close to us. Responding to them negatively only saps our energy. But God encourages us through His promises: He will never forsake us (Ps. 9:10; Heb. 13:5), and He invites us to rely on His help (Heb. 4:16).
INSIGHT
: Despite the taunting that the Israelites faced from multiple sources when rebuilding the walls and city of Jerusalem, they had courage and confidence in God. They had returned to Jerusalem just as God had promised through the prophet Jeremiah (Jer. 29:10).
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One tough Lady.
HELLO ONE AND ALL
(((HUGS)))
Hi Kathy, we are almost out of snow. How are things in your part of the world?
Defiantly a high achiever.
Thanks again for the Canteen Kathy!
Good job, Galz! Very interesting life this Medal Of Honor winner had!
I am sooooo not
ready to be back at work.
Good morning, Canteen.
Good morning to our
Military, our Allies, and their families.
Thank you, Star, for preparing
the Canteen for todays activities.
What a crazy weekend.
Yesterday was a total washout.
Mostly freezing rain half the day;
then rain that froze on the cold ground.
Woke to a warm 30 degrees and fog.
Looking into the week
I see we're going to have a rainy period.
Brace yourself for more crazy weather
as I heard that a volcano in Chile is spitting and spewing.
Going to post and then catch up on pings.
Please stick around.
Chat up the military or a family member.
No need to fret...you know I'll be back!
The FR Canteen is
Come in and sit for a while.
There's always plenty of coffee, tea,
pancakes, conversation, silliness,
and plain old BS
REMEMBER THEM ~ DEFENDERS OF FREEDOM
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