The student of Christian Science strives daily to learn more of the infinite goodness, power, and presence of God. Because of, and in proportion to, his awareness of the perfection of God's creation, which constitutes all reality, he is alert to the claims of good's supposititious opposite, evil, and aware of its utter nothingness.
The account of the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem by Nehemiah is an inspiring record of perseverance in the face of opposition and subtle enticements. At one point the conspirators, Tobiah and Sanballat, abandoning threats of violence and assuming the appearance of reasonableness, sought to tempt Nehemiah down to a conference. Because of his faith in and understanding of God, Nehemiah was able to exercise discernment, quickly detecting the subtle evil behind this seemingly harmless proposal. Accordingly, he sent the following message (Neh. 6:3): "I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it and come down to you?"
Finally, temptation to stop work appeared when someone offered to protect him from a reported attempt on his life if he would meet him in the house of God. But the builder, not only brave but wise, recognized the agent of evil and the falsity and powerlessness of his story. So he proceeded with the wall until it was finished.
