- _Oposition is the price of progress
Nehemiah 4:3 (NASB) 3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was near him and he said, “Even what they are building—if a fox should jump on it, he would break their stone wall down!”
Nehemiah 4:6 (NASB) 6 So we built the wall and the whole wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.
2. Discouragement is an inside job
Nehemiah 4:10 (NASB) 10 Thus in Judah it was said,
“The strength of the burden bearers is failing,
Yet there is much rubbish;
And we ourselves are unable
To rebuild the wall.”
Nehemiah 4:9 (NASB) 9 But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set up a guard against them day and night.
3. Remember the Lord - Fight for what matters . .
Nehemiah 4:13-14 (NASB) 13 then I stationed men in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, the exposed places, and I stationed the people in families with their swords, spears and bows. 14 When I saw their fear, I rose and spoke to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people: “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.”
4.Hold a trowel in one hand and a sword in the other
Nehemiah 4:17 (NASB) 17 Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens took their load with one hand doing the work and the other holding a weapon.
Nehemiah 4:20 (NASB) 20 At whatever place you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”
Takin’ It Home…
- Refuse to step off the wall
- Confront discouragement early.
- Remeber before you react
- Build and guard at the same time