Fight For Your Cause
Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, "The strength of the people is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the 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."
Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over "Wherever you turn, they will attack us"
Therefore I stationed some of the people behind 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. Remember the LORD, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your 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 our own work.
From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. . . . 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. . . Nehemiah 4:10-18
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."
Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over "Wherever you turn, they will attack us"
Therefore I stationed some of the people behind 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. Remember the LORD, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your 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 our own work.
From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. . . . 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. . . Nehemiah 4:10-18
Nehemiah motivated the people to continue building the wall, but the opposition from their enemies grew fiercer and fiercer along with other types of discouragement.
First: The people were discouraged by the extensive nature of the work! They were overwhelmed by the task, saying: ". . . there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall." Second: Their enemies were threatening to kill them, "Wherever you turn, they will attack us." So, the Jews were tired from the volume of work; they faced death threats and they lived in fear of being attacked. In the midst of it all, however, Nehemiah showed incredible leadership and motivated the people to press on to victory.
The words of Nehemiah to the people are worth noting: "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the LORD, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and daughters and your homes." Nehemiah was simply reminding them to remember that the battle belonged to God and not to them. He spurred them on to fight for their cause. The awesome God to whom they belonged was the ultimate source of their protection. Accordingly, everyone was armed and ready to fight even while they worked. Some worked with one hand and carried weapons in the other. They worked hard and fought for their cause.
As you face challenges and difficulties in the pursuit of your dreams and vision, remember that the great and awesome God is with you. Let that fact motivate you to fight for your cause. Victory is already won. You fight from a position of victory, not defeat. Fight for your cause!
First: The people were discouraged by the extensive nature of the work! They were overwhelmed by the task, saying: ". . . there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall." Second: Their enemies were threatening to kill them, "Wherever you turn, they will attack us." So, the Jews were tired from the volume of work; they faced death threats and they lived in fear of being attacked. In the midst of it all, however, Nehemiah showed incredible leadership and motivated the people to press on to victory.
The words of Nehemiah to the people are worth noting: "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the LORD, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and daughters and your homes." Nehemiah was simply reminding them to remember that the battle belonged to God and not to them. He spurred them on to fight for their cause. The awesome God to whom they belonged was the ultimate source of their protection. Accordingly, everyone was armed and ready to fight even while they worked. Some worked with one hand and carried weapons in the other. They worked hard and fought for their cause.
As you face challenges and difficulties in the pursuit of your dreams and vision, remember that the great and awesome God is with you. Let that fact motivate you to fight for your cause. Victory is already won. You fight from a position of victory, not defeat. Fight for your cause!
Prayer: Father, I thank you that I am more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus. Amen.