Neh 4:7-9 ESV

7 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. 8 And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. 9 And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.

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7 Ngunit nang mabalitaan nina Sanballat, Tobias, ng mga taga-Arabia, mga Ammonita, at ng mga Asdodita, na nagpapatuloy ang pagkukumpuni ng mga pader ng Jerusalem at ang mga sira ay nagsisimulang masarhan, sila'y galit na galit. 8 Silang lahat ay magkakasamang nagbalak na puntahan at labanan ang Jerusalem at gumawa ng kaguluhan doon. 9 Kami ay nanalangin sa aming Diyos, at naglagay ng bantay laban sa kanila sa araw at gabi.


WATCH AND PRAY

The height of the wall didn’t only rise up. But, the gaps were beginning to close. Therefore, the enemies of the work became angrier. Any development for good unto the glory of God in and through our lives would infuriate the enemy. The progress being made by God's people in touching a lost world for Jesus Christ is not surprising to make the devil angry.

This time, they didn’t satisfy to mock and deride. But, they threatened and planned for a violent attack. Perhaps the workers thought, “Did not we have peace before we began to build the wall? Did it not appear now that the very building of the wall may prompt the attack to come? Perhaps, it would have been easy for the workers to shrink in fear and think that all their efforts would be made in vain.

Like Nehemiah’s enemies, Satan always does his threatening tactics, doesn’t he? Thus, Peter exhorted us, saying, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”[1 Pet 5:8] Definitely, threats may create confusions. This is an important strategy of Satan. When distracted, God’s people would be out of focus toward God and His promises.

How did Nehemiah and his men handle all these?

They prayed and set guards. They expressed their strong faith in their prayers. Notedly, God could easily trump the enemy but He allowed them to continue their attacks. Why? It was because He was delighted that His people would draw closer to Him with a deeper trust than ever before. God did His perfect work in building the walls firstly by building His people.

They also knew that prayer didn't mean they had to do nothing. God gave them common sense to do what they could in protecting against attack. We can do a lot of sensible things only after we have prayed. Do we have an area in our Christian life that needs particular attention? It isn't enough to pray. We need to set a watch as well, daily. Do give a special attention and accountability to that area of your life until you are walking in consistent victory.

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