Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Nehemiah 4:10-21: Remember the Lord

Nehemiah 4:10-13
Then the people of Judah began to complain, “The workers are getting tired, and there is so much rubble to be moved. We will never be able to build the wall by ourselves.” 11 Meanwhile, our enemies were saying, “Before they know what’s happening, we will swoop down on them and kill them and end their work.” 12 The Jews who lived near the enemy came and told us again and again, “They will come from all directions and attack us!”[e] 13 So I placed armed guards behind the lowest parts of the wall in the exposed areas. I stationed the people to stand guard by families, armed with swords, spears, and bows.


The enemy wants to swoop in and the local news is broadcasting "Attack is imminent". I don't know about you, but sounds like a scary problem. The enemy must have surely thought he had them just where he wanted them. Nehemiah set guards according to families. Let's take a look at his reaction.

It must have been disappointing to Nehemiah to have come so far only to come to this place. He'd done all the right things. He had prayed for favor to come and received it, he accessed the situation and cast the vision to the people and gained approval and cooperation and unity, and the wall was half done with the gaps being filled. He'd spoken directly to the enemy and informed them that they had no part in Jerusalem and its inheritance. Yet now it could all be lost and the people were becoming discouraged and afraid. It was a turning point. He could have given up...after all there were very real threats for the safety of the people. Instead of throwing in the towel...he called the people together. Here are the inspirational words he spoke.

Nehemiah 4:14
14 Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!”

He looked the situation in the eye and declared. God is with us...Don't let this throw you...fight for your families. God brought us this far so he will take care of us. The road to God's will often has obstacles placed by the enemy of our soul...but those w ho complete the course please Him.

Strategic Plan
Nehemiah 4:15-23 and hard work

15 When our enemies heard that we knew of their plans and that God had frustrated them, we all returned to our work on the wall. 16 But from then on, only half my men worked while the other half stood guard with spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. The leaders stationed themselves behind the people of Judah 17 who were building the wall. The laborers carried on their work with one hand supporting their load and one hand holding a weapon. 18 All the builders had a sword belted to their side. The trumpeter stayed with me to sound the alarm.19 Then I explained to the nobles and officials and all the people, “The work is very spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. 20 When you hear the blast of the trumpet, rush to wherever it is sounding. Then our God will fight for us!” 21 We worked early and late, from sunrise to sunset. And half the men were always on guard. 22 I also told everyone living outside the walls to stay in Jerusalem. That way they and their servants could help with guard duty at night and work during the day. 23 During this time, none of us—not I, nor my relatives, nor my servants, nor the guards who were with me—ever took off our clothes. We carried our weapons with us at all times, even when we went for water.[f]



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