Nehemiah 4:9-20 / Called to be Servants & Soldiers of God. God calls us with a purpose. You have a God given purpose for your life and that is to be a good servant and soldier of God. As we go into 2021, allow God to help you stir up your faith and zeal to stand and even fight for what He has given to you.

Background: Nehemiah’s name means “Comfort by God”

Cupbearer for artaxerxes….moved by the hardship of Israel….prayed to be used by god - give me favor w/ king….

king funded the rebuilding…..it was in ruin

people had lost hope….mocking….kept at the work…..then enemies plan to attack….

Chap 3:9 - But we prayed to our god!!!

everything begins with prayer…Their situation looked hopeless….no matter how terrible his situation looked nehemiah trusted god….in 2021 = trust god

eph 6:12 - For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

do you have that kind of trust? the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.” —they were ready to quit…judah was

tired….battle fatigue…..you’ve been at this a long time….don’t grow weary….faint not hold on to god’s unfailing hand - walk b ft
they saw the rubble…people got weak… they began looking at themselves….

prayer didn’t mean they were to do nothing. here is the point of nehemiah and in our lives…..the city was their’s!!!
Before there was a wall built… the people became the wall….a human wall…….

some could easily say - god will protect us… but how can he protect you if you aren’t on your post?

Reminder: they weren’t fighting for something that wasn’t theirs. it was given to them by god!

it isn’t enough to pray. You need to set a watch as well

the enemy does not want you to have the blessings and favor of god….so he will resist you in every way! he’ll use whoever he can. the land and city belonged to the jews….mixed multitude….haters of god
V11 - they plotted to attack the people…. catch them off-guard

the people were very afraid…..reminder: this was their homes!

the enemy can convince us that it’s not worth fighting for! hopeless endeavor

we pray but we also must be willing to stand and fight for what god has given to us!!! no matter how many come against us… or how terrible the enemy is…. our worst defeat is when we fail to stand at all…

in this coming year….it’s time for us as god’s people to be willing to fight for what god has given to us….fight for our marriages…..fight for our children….fight for our grand-children….fight for our health and well-being….fight for our peace of mind….

fight by prayer…action….commitment

1 tim 6:12 - Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. the enemy can only take what you give him

joshua 1:9 - Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

god has given us kingdom authority - you can do all things through christ

V14 - Nehemiah reminded them…do not be afraid of them….remember the lord who is great and awesome and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses.

the men were in panic….remember when you feel like panicking - god is still in control
remember this is a spiritual fight!

V16-18 = From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who were building the wall. 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. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me.

Q: Are we committed to god’s purpose?Ultimately, building the wall was god’s purpose….building your house is also god’s purpose!

In Spite of moments of fear and doubt…we must have our faith in god. if god has called you….god will guide you! the disciples and the boat! go and trust

the god of heaven is our shelf…he gives us success….go and fight for your brothers… your houses….you lives!

because they trusted god….they were victorious! so are you! God promises success to those who trust him….

Matt 11:12 - The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force:

learned men vs spirit-filled = warriors