relationships (Nehemiah 4:1-23) Faithfully Continue On

(Nehemiah 4:1-23) Now it came about that when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious and very angry, and he mocked the Jews. 2 And he spoke in the presence of his brothers and the wealthy people of Samaria and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Are they going to restore the temple for themselves? Can they offer sacrifices? Can they finish it in a day? Can they revive the stones from the heaps of rubble, even the burned ones?” 3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was near him, and he said, “Even what they are building—if a fox were to jump on it, it would break their stone wall down!”

4 Hear, O our God, how we are an object of contempt! Return their taunting on their own heads, and turn them into plunder in a land of captivity. 5 Do not forgive their guilt and do not let their sin be wiped out before You, for they have demoralized the builders.

6 So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.

7 Now when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the repair of the walls of Jerusalem went on, and that the breaches began to be closed, they were very angry. 8 So all of them conspired together to come to fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it.

9 But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set up a guard against them day and night.

10 And so in Judah it was said:

     “The strength of the burden bearers is failing,
     Yet there is much rubble;
     And we ourselves are unable
     To rebuild the wall.”

11 And our enemies said, “They will not know or see until we come among them, kill them, and put a stop to the work.” 12 When the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times, “They will come up against us from every place where you may turn,” 13 then I stationed men in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, the exposed places, and I stationed the people in families with their swords, spears, and bows. 14 When I saw their fear, I stood and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: “Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”

15 Now when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had frustrated their plan, then all of us returned to the wall, each one to his work. 16 And from that day on, half of my servants carried on the work while half of them kept hold of the spears, the shields, the bows, and the coats of mail; and the captains were behind all the house of Judah. 17 Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens carried with one hand doing the work, and the other keeping hold of a weapon. 18 As for the builders, each wore his sword strapped to his waist as he built, while the trumpeter stood near me. 19 And I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, “The work is great and extensive, and we are separated on the wall far from one another. 20 At whatever place you hear the sound of the trumpet, assemble to us there. Our God will fight for us.”

21 So we carried on the work with half of them holding spears from dawn until the stars appeared. 22 At that time I also said to the people, “Each man with his servant shall spend the night within Jerusalem, so that they may be a guard for us by night and a laborer by day.” 23 So neither I, my brothers, my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me—none of us removed our clothes; each took his weapon even to the water.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Our challenge as believers is to recognize "enemies" - yet - still love and pray for them.  This doesn't mean that we purposefully put ourselves in harm's way.  So, for example, a mother and her children should safely and quietly get out of an abusive household.  In that kind of scenario, they might have to hide for a while, find some solid counseling, heal, and plan one's next steps.  

Jesus did tell us to be in the world, but not OF the world.  I remember a group of Christians who had found themselves involved in a cult-like-movement, and even though they were believers, they thought they had to move out and far away from the "big, evil city" and homeschool their children.  It isn't wrong to live in the country, or homeschool your children, but it is wrong if you are making decisions out of hate and fear.  Everything we do should be with the motive of God's love... and seeking His wisdom, trust in Him and in what He says in His word, which will be evident in our obedience.  

Believers are not to be oblivious to dangers and pitfalls.  And we are not to sit back and do nothing, or run away and hide when we do recognize dangers and pitfalls.  We are to stay alert, pray and assemble together, and continue serving the Lord.  So, as struggles arise, keep close to Jesus.  In fearing the Lord, we do not have to fear anyone or anything.  Remember that the Lord is great and awesome and will fight for those who are faithful.  The key to faithfully, courageously and effectively living in God's will is to do everything in the Lord's strength and wisdom, allowing Him to work in and through us, all to His glory.