Faith That Builds and Watches

Opposition sharpened as the wall rose. Sanballat was furious and mocked the feeble Jews before the army of Samaria. He asked whether they would revive the burned stones out of the heaps of rubbish. Tobiah added that even a fox would break down their stone wall. Nehemiah answered with prayer, handing the insult to God. Meanwhile, the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.

Mockery turned to plotting. Enemies from every side conspired to fight against Jerusalem and cause confusion. Inside, discouragement spread: the strength of the burden bearers was fading, and there was much rubbish. Jews living nearby warned ten times of danger. Nehemiah's response joined faith and action: we made our prayer to our God, and set a watch against them day and night.

Nehemiah stationed families in the exposed places and spoke to the nobles and people: Don't be afraid of them! Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome. When the enemies learned their plot was known, God brought their counsel to nothing. From then on, half the men worked and half held spears and shields. The builders worked with a sword at their side. The trumpeter stood ready, for Our God will fight for us.