Nehemiah again demonstrates the importance of being prepared, of being proactive when faced with threats from his enemies. We may not have a physical threat like Nehemiah and the people of Jerusalem had, but as I read the New Testament and chapters Like Romans 8 Talking about Powers and Principalities and 1 Peter 5 warning us about the Roaring Lion seeking to devour us, we do need to put on our Spiritual Armour (Eph. 6 vs 10-18) We do face spiritual challenges. We should remember that Greater is he who is in us than he who is in the World, and that Christ has won the victory, but at the same time we need to be proactive in praying, reading the word, heeding the voice of the Spirit and being prepared to make choices for good and not of evil
Nehemiah 4 vs. 16-23 – A Proactive Approach to Overcoming Enemies
From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows
And armour. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who were building the wall.
In order to overcome their enemies Nehemiah recognised the need to build and to protect when the need arose
Each part of the wall that was restored strengthened the protection of the city, but that was not all
Those that were building couldn’t keep an eye out for enemy attacks so soldiers needed to be in place and close
To the builders they were protecting, so they posted themselves behind them and provided a defensive wall
In order for things to move ahead people need to be deployed where they are of the most value and most use
Nehemiah understood this so he chose who would build and those who would defend Jerusalem and its wall
Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each
Of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me.
For things to move along there needed to be people carrying materials and people rebuilding the breach
By forming a process where the work could proceed steadily Nehemiah gave people confidence in what could be
Nehemiah also recognised he need to be able to rally the people quickly if they needed to stop a breach
Of the wall so he ensured the Trumpeter was by his side so that he could call people to action and beside him be
Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “The work is extensive and spread out, and we are
Widely separated from each other along the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there.
Nehemiah recognised that the people were spread thinly and needed to be called quickly when they needed to be
There were no walkie-talkies, mobile phones, or text messages that could be sent, people were spread everywhere
Nehemiah needed a way of communicating quickly and effectively when urgent action was needed he could see
So Nehemiah had a trumpeter by his side, the sound of the trumpet was urgent, loud and could be heard everywhere
Our God will fight for us!” So we continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till
The stars came out. At that time I also said to the people, “Have every man and his helper stay inside Jerusalem
An eight hour day would not suffice to get the work done so from daybreak to dark they worked, their day was full
It was tiring but people had a clear vision but also knew the cost would be their lives if they didn’t rebuild Jerusalem
They knew God was behind them and would fight for them, but they also knew they had a part to play to the full
We can’t sit back and expect everything on a plate, faith is active and this was displayed to the full in Jerusalem
At night, so they can serve us as guards by night and workmen by day.” Neither I nor my brothers nor my men
Nor the guards with me took off our clothes; each had his weapon, even when he went for water.
Security consciousness was strong, Nehemiah knew the enemy would attack but no one knew where or when
So he ensured all the guards were always alert, always ready to defend each and every quarter
Weapons were always by their side, they were prepared to stand their ground their enemies were around them
Seeking to disrupt the work, to halt progress, to harass and challenge each and every quarter
How prepared are we for spiritual battle? Satan seeks to devour us, we need to be strong Godly women and men
As Paul advises us we like the church in Ephesus need to be prepared each day to put on spiritual armour
Mark Maffey, September 2009
(NIV)