Watchfulness (Nehemiah 4)

What safeguards must those who rebuild a church have? Let’s begin in Nehemiah 4.

Were some angry about rebuilding Jerusalem? Do people insult efforts to rebuild the church on its proper foundation?

When Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he became angry and raged. He mocked the Jews, saying in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria: “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore things themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish it in a day? Will they revive the stones from the piles of rubble, even though they are burned?” Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, added: “If even a fox climbs on whatever they build, their wall of stones will crumble.” (Neh 4:1-3 CEB)

What did Nehemiah pray after their enemies insulted them? Do people insult Christians?

But I prayed, “Our God, these people hate us and have wished horrible things for us. Please answer our prayers and make their insults fall on them! Let them be the ones to be dragged away as prisoners of war. Don't forgive the mean and evil way they have insulted the builders.” (Neh 4:4-5 CEV)

Were they diligent doing God’s work despite continuous opposition?

So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night. (Neh 4:6-9 ESV)

Were the enemies of Judah plotting to make them stop the work of rebuilding? Are there people who plot to stop the church?

In Judah, it was said: The strength of the laborer fails, since there is so much rubble. We will never be able to rebuild the wall. And our enemies said, “They won’t know or see anything until we’re among them and can kill them and stop the work.” When the Jews who lived nearby arrived, they said to us time and again, “Everywhere you turn, they attack us.” So I stationed people behind the lowest sections of the wall, at the vulnerable areas. I stationed them by families with their swords, spears, and bows. After I made an inspection, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the great and awe-inspiring Lord, and fight for your countrymen, your sons and daughters, your wives and homes.” (Neh 4:10-14 HCSB)

Did they have to build under constant watchfulness because of enemies? Must we be vigilant?

Our opponents heard that we had learned about them, that God had brought their plans to failure, and that each and every one of us had come to work on the wall. From that day on, half of my helpers engaged in the work while the other half kept spears, shields, bows, and armor ready. The senior officials backed all of the Judeans who worked on the wall. Those who carried building materials worked with one hand, carrying a spear in the other. Each builder worked with a sword strapped to his side, while a trumpeter remained beside me to sound an alarm. (Neh 4:15-18 ISV)

Where did they lodge for safety? How are we protected in the church?

And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another. In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us. So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared. Likewise at the same time said I unto the people, Let every one with his servant lodge within Jerusalem, that in the night they may be a guard to us, and labour on the day. So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard which followed me, none of us put off our clothes, saving that every one put them off for washing. (Neh 4:19-23 KJV)

Do we also need protection from perverse and evil men?

Finally, brothers, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men, for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful, who will strengthen and guard you from the evil one. (2 Thess 3:1-3 LSB)

What safeguards must those who rebuild a church have? You decide!