Determination

[16] And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah. [17] They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. [18] For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me. [19] 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. [20] In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us. [21] So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared. [22] 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. [23] 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. Nehemiah 4:17-23

Talk about determination, Nehemiah is unwavering in his goal to see the wall built. He will do whatever it takes to see it accomplished.

The Bible says “from that time on…” half of the people worked on the wall and the other half ready for battle. The workers were in unity as one great working machine. One hand was working on the wall as they held a weapon in the other. They were prepared for whatever happened, if the enemy left them alone they were working, if the enemy came and disturbed them they were ready.

The wall was very large and the people were separated throughout the long span. Nehemiah spoke to the people and told them to be ready. When the trumpet is heard you know the battle is coming, gather together but don’t worry because God will fight for us. He had stamina, knowledge, faith and confidence in His God. Nehemiah was in close communication (prayer) with God and trusted Him to do what He said.

We cannot be in the work of God unless one hand is in the work and the other is on the weapon (Bible). Even though we are in God’s work we must always be in His word. The two go hand in hand. Do not get so busy in the work that you neglect His Word.

Have a blessed day,
Donna