Nehemiah was leading the Israelites in rebuilding their walls and the nation’s enemies weren’t going to let it happen without a fight.
“Now it happened, when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the walls of Jerusalem were being restored and the gaps were beginning to be closed, that they became very angry, and all of them conspired together to come and attack Jerusalem and create confusion.” (Neh 4:7-8, Unless otherwise stated: Scripture is taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Used by permission. All rights reserved)
But look at what Nehemiah decided.
“Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night” (Neh 4:9).
Nehemiah didn’t stop the work on the wall out of fear. He also didn’t recklessly fail to acknowledge the threat. The people of Judah prayed AND set a 24/7 guard.
Prayer doesn’t exclude work when there is something we can do. It includes God, Who can do something. We are responsible for doing what we can with what we have (Matt 25:14-30; 1 Cor 4:2). At the same time, God is faithful in doing what He can with what we give. Through His power and providential care, He can make our efforts effective according to His will.
In fact, it is by our Lord’s design that we are useful and successful despite our difficulties and weaknesses. When we pray, trust in Him, and do our best, the outcome of our faith points to His glory (1 Cor 1:26-31). His strength is proven through our ultimate success, regardless of our distress (2 Cor 12:7-10).
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor 15:57, 58).
Pray.
And lock your doors,
– Van
