Nehemiah and his fellow-builders
face determined opposition from their enemies: “What they are building -
if even a fox climbed up on it, he would break down their wall of
stones!” (Nehemiah 4:3). When the enemies “heard that the repairs to
Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed,
they were very angry. They all plotted together against Jerusalem and
stir up trouble against it” (Nehemiah 4:7-8). What did God’s people do
when they were faced with this opposition? - “We prayed to our God and
posted a guard day and night to meet this threat” (Nehemiah 4:10). They
were watching out for their enemies - and they were looking to the Lord.
Nehemiah urged the workers to keep looking to the Lord: “Remember how
great and awe-inspiring the Lord is ... Our God will fight for us!”
(Nehemiah 4:14,20). This is what we must do. We must keep our eyes on
the Lord. He is the great God. He is a great help to His people in their
many times of testing.
“At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem”, the keynote of the service was joyful thanksgiving. They gathered together “to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving” (Nehemiah 12:27). “On that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy” (Nehemiah 12:43). They sang “songs of praise and thanksgiving to God” (Nehemiah 12:46). This joyful thanksgiving is only a foretaste of the greater joy and thanksgiving of heaven: “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4). In the city of God, “the glory of God” will be shining with everlasting brightness (Revelation 21:23). The Church of God will be “prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband” (Revelation 21:2). The beautiful picture of the godly wife in Proverbs 31 gives us an outline of what God is seeking to do in His people. It is summarized in Proverbs 31:30: “A woman who fears the Lord is to be ...
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