Pam Padgett ... teacher
When the Jews worked to repair the walls of Jerusalem, enemies came up
against them to stop the work. But the Jews turned to God, and they
stayed on alert at all times ...
Nehemiah 4:7 But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah,
and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the
walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be
stopped, then they were very wroth, 8 And conspired all of them together
to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it. 9
Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against
them day and night, because of them.
The enemies planned to come upon the Jews with no forewarning, but some
of the Jews which dwelt near them gave warning. Those in Jerusalem
armed themselves, and Nehemiah strengthened them by reminding them that
the Lord is great and terrible. God caused the plans of the enemies to
be worthless ....
Nehemiah 4:10 And Judah said, The strength of the
bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are
not able to build the wall. 11 And our adversaries said, They shall not
know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them,
and cause the work to cease. 12 And it came to pass, that when the Jews
which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, From all places
whence ye shall return unto us they will be upon you. 13 Therefore set I
in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even
set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and
their bows. 14 And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and
to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them:
remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your
brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses. 15
And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us,
and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us
to the wall, every one unto his work.
The work continued, the builders staying prepared for battle while at the same time doing the work ...
Nehemiah 4:16 And it came to pass from that time
forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other
half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the
habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah. 17 They
which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that
laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the
other hand held a weapon. 18 For the builders, every one had his sword
girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was
by me.
This reminded me of the exhortation Peter gave us to stay sober and
vigilant since our enemy, the devil, seeks to destroy us ...
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your
adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he
may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same
afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
The devil is constantly looking for opportunities to devour us, keeping
us from continuing in the ways of God. Like the Jews building the walls
in Jerusalem, we need to be constantly alert and diligent to deal with
each thought, fear, and lie brought to us by the devil ... resisting the
devil by turning to God and standing in that which we are given,
steadfast in faith .... and continue in the way of God.
Paul told us to be strong in the Lord (not in ourselves) and in His power, putting on the whole armour of God ... truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, word of God, prayer ... so we can stand against the tricks and snares of the devil ...
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in
the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may
be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not
against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual
wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour
of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having
done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about
with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your
feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all,
taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the
fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the
sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with
all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with
all perseverance and supplication for all saints;