Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Foreign pastor Chuck Allen here with another weekday podcast. I've been in the book of Nehemiah from the Old Testament. We've walked through the first three chapters of the past three days, and today I want to briefly give us a little highlight in chapter four. Now today I want to talk about what it is like to build with one hand and fight with the other.
[00:00:25] And in Nehemiah 3, it was all about building.
[00:00:28] Nehemiah 4 is all about the battle that comes with it. Because the moment progress, I mean, think about this. The moment the progress starts, so does resistance. If you're attempting to do anything for the greater good in the kingdom of God, there's going to be resistance, because Satan does not want us about the kingdom's work. And sure enough, resistance comes to Nehemiah. Now remember, he heard the words about how the walls and the gates of Jerusalem had been destroyed. He wept over it, he prayed over it. He went and saw the king. He had a prayer for wisdom with the king. The king granted everything he needed. He comes back to Jerusalem, he walks through the rubble. And then he encourages people to get in the work. And they do, and everybody's doing their part. But remember, when progress starts, so does resistance.
[00:01:21] The chapter opens with one nam, one man named Sanballat. He is ticked off, y' all furious that the Jews are real rebuilding the wall. And so he mocks them. In Nehemiah 4. 2, he says, what does this bunch of poor feeble Jews think they're doing? Do they think they can build a wall in a single day?
[00:01:42] I mean, you can almost like hear to the nastiness in his voice.
[00:01:47] Because the truth is, criticism always comes easier when someone else is doing the work.
[00:01:52] Okay, I'm gonna say that again because that's worth sharing this podcast for. Criticism always comes easier when someone else is doing the work.
[00:02:01] When Tobiah the ammonite, laughs and says, and here's the quote from scripture, that stone wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it. That's how opposition works as well.
[00:02:13] Ridicule, sarcasm, doubt. But Nehemiah doesn't take the bait. He doesn't yell back. He doesn't scream. He doesn't post a reply. He prays. He says, hear us our God, for we are being mocked. May their scoffing fall back on their own heads. Come on, what a line.
[00:02:34] His first move isn't revenge, it is prayer. And then they keep building.
[00:02:41] Verse 6 says, at last the wall was completed to half its height around the entire city. For the people at work with enthusiasm. Halfway there. Woohoo.
[00:02:51] And that's when things get hardest right. The adrenaline is worn off. The newness is gone and the voices of doubt get louder. The enemies hear about the progress and they start plotting attacks. Nehemiah and his team begin to pray and take practical precautions. They post guards day and night. They station faith families at vulnerable spots along the wall. Nehemiah tells his people in verse 14, he says, don't be afraid of the enemy. Remember the Lord who is great and glorious and fight for your brothers and sons and daughters, your wives and your homes. That's leadership, y'. All. Not pretending there's no danger, but reminding the people who's fighting with them.
[00:03:33] So now imagine the scene. Half the workers are rebuilding the wall. The other half stand guard, armed with spears, shields and bows. Even the builders themselves, Nehemiah writes, worked with one hand supporting their load and one hand holding a weapon. Think about that. They got a brick in one hand and a sword in another.
[00:03:55] They've got a trowel in one hand and a spear in the other. Just imagine. Think about it. That's the image of faith in motion, building and battling all at the same time. Because doing what God calls you to do will always involve both. You'll have to build faithfully, piece by piece and friend. You'll have to fight for faith, for unity, for courage and for perseverance. And when that opposite opposition, when it doesn't let up, Nehemiah gives us a beautiful word. He says, our God will fight for us.
[00:04:30] That was their rally cry, their reminder that they weren't alone in the work.
[00:04:36] Maybe you felt that tension lately. Maybe trying to rebuild something. A relationship, a marriage, a ministry, a dream. And the opposition hits hard. The criticism, the exhaustion, the fear that maybe you just won't get there.
[00:04:50] Nehemiah 4 whispers truth into that moment.
[00:04:54] Pray first.
[00:04:55] Remember who's with you. And don't put down the tools, even when it gets hard. Keep going.
[00:05:02] Sometimes faith means learning to carry a hammer in one hand and a sword in the other.
[00:05:08] Maybe our prayer should be, God, thank you for being strong. When opposition rises, teach us to keep building even when fear shouts loud. Help us remember that you fight for us, that you stand beside us and that every swing of our hammer matters.
[00:05:23] May we build with courage today.
[00:05:26] Thanks so much for listening in this week, y'. All. I look forward to all the study that we're doing while at Sugar Hill Church during this Imagine Even More campaign in the month of October. I'm so glad that together we're making a difference. So go live today like someone who knows. The God who called you to build will also fight right beside you as you do. God bless your friend. Have a great day. Bye now.
