Nehemiah is a book filled with practical and spiritual lessons. The people were becoming tired from the physical work of rebuilding the wall, this coupled with threats from their enemies to kill them and stop their work. Nehemiah manages to reassure the people of God’s might and power to overcome their enemies through a rousing address but also take practical steps by stationing armed warriors at the weakest points of the wall. Practical Christianity needs both a spiritual awareness and a practical ability to make wise choices. First we need to listen and hear what God is saying into our situation and then take the practical steps to become overcomers.
Nehemiah 4 vs. 10-15 – Hanging in Despite Tiredness and Threats From Enemies
Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the labourers is giving out,
And there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.”
Sometimes the task at hand can seem overwhelming and we can get spaced out
There is so much rubbish around us that we can hit the wall
We can lose perspective and be overcome by what seems insurmountable doubt
Yet in the midst of this we need to re-focus and on God call
For what seems impossible to man is not to God, he can overcome fear and doubt
He can defeat our enemies, he can rebuild every broken wall
Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them
And put an end to the work.” Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall
Nehemiah’s enemies were determined to stop the wall being built, Nehemiah set out to overcome them
He recognised where they would try to break through and stationed people near the low points of the wall
He knew that he had to deploy his people where they could be the most use, and he made good use of them
Nehemiah took a practical approach to a difficult issue, he ensured people were at the lowest points of the wall
At the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows, after I looked things over,
I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people “Don’t be afraid of them.
Nehemiah made sure people were practically equipped to fight their enemies and his judgement was sober
He made sure they had their swords, spears, and bows, he assessed where to best place them
He looked things over, he made adjustments and then sought to reassure the people and to their fears cover
Nehemiah addressed all the people regardless of rank and said clearly “Don’t be afraid of them
Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight
for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”
Nehemiah pointed to the Lord’s power to overcome their plight
That their enemies could not succeed, and they could protect their families and homes
They needed to trust God and remind themselves of his might
Of his greatness and believe in him, to stand up and fight for their families and homes
When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God
had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to his own work.
The people got back into rebuilding the wall, for theirs was a mighty God
Able to frustrate their enemies, foil their plans and stop their evil work
The people had confidence that despite challenges the wall would not fold
for God desired it would be rebuilt and nothing would stop the work
Mark Maffey, August 2009
(NIV)