Fight On!

 

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY 27 AUGUST 2023 am

NEHEMIAH 4 VERSES 13 – 18

 

Nehemiah is one of the greatest books of instruction and encouragement in the bible.  In verse 6 we read “So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof; for the people had a mind to work.”  This man Nehemiah had a great position in Shushan the palace, 1000 miles from Jerusalem.  His heart was in the work that was going on in Jerusalem.  A reminder that we need to be wholehearted in the work of God.  Word had come to Nehemiah that the wall in Jerusalem was torn down, the gates had been burned and the people were in disarray.  Nehemiah was so disappointed.  He had his soft spot for this work.  In verse 6 we read that they were half-way through the work.  Half-way is a dangerous place to be in.  In the athletic world the half-way stage is a difficult point – you have come so far and yet there is so far still to go.  You are looking forward to the finishing line but it seems a long way off.  In our Christian experience it is a dangerous place to be in as well – the rush of first love has passed then we fall into all sorts of difficult situations.  Discouragements come from the devil himself.  It is sometimes difficult to leave things behind. We can be knocked down and wanting to stop.

 

Verse 1 the attention the enemy gives to the work.

Verses 8 and 9 the attack that comes – criticism, ridicule and threat of violence

Verse 4 the approach Nehemiah decides on – take it to the Lord

Verse 13 the arrangement Nehemiah chooses – practically he prepares the people for battle

Verse 14 the action that was triggered

 

Nehemiah now begins to arrange the defence against this attack.  The resolve he calls for.  When he came to Jerusalem the wall was broken down, the gates were burned and the people were in disarray.  The news had come to him in Shushan and his face displayed his disappointment.  The king asked him why he was so sad.  It was an offence to be in the king’s presence with a sad face.  It carried the possibility of imprisonment or even death.  God had put sympathy in the king’s heart.  God works with those who are coming against us.  Nehemiah explains that he has received word from Jerusalem and the king asks if he could do anything to help.  If we are living in a right relationship with God even the enemy can be for us!  Nehemiah had left Shushan to go down and build the wall in Jerusalem.  How hard could it be?  The enemy heard about his coming and realised that to come that distance, to leave his important job in the king’s palace – well he must be some man.  Chapter 2 verse 10 “it grieved them exceedingly”.  One man who cared for the people of God.  They were angry.  If you are saved by the grace of God the devil hates you, hates everything that you stand for.  If you go back home to your wife or husband who doesn’t love the Lord, or go into the workplace tomorrow where people don’t like your testimony or are serving in this fellowship the devil will do everything in his power to bring you down.  The end is not yet.  Nehemiah realises he cannot build the walls himself so the people got together and decided to build them in the Lord’s strength.  Chapter 6 verse 3 “I am doing a great work so that I cannot come down.”  He wouldn’t come down to the enemies level.  The enemies criticised them – they said the people were not able to build the wall with what rubbish that was available, that a little fox could run against the wall and it would tumble.  We need the same resolve that Nehemiah had.  Remember it is the Lord’s work and not man’s work.  Nehemiah told them not to fear the enemy but look to the Lord.

 

The reflection that is essential – “and I looked”. Where did he look?  To the Lord.  He heard all the ridicule and the people crying but “he looked and he rose up and said … remember the Lord.”  This is the man in sight of the trouble.  Even to imagine the scene is hard.  The enemy was talking down the work all the time but this was God’s work.  Whenever you get into God’s work you will get criticism and objection.  In verses 11 and 12 the fear of this enemy was instilled into the people.  Chapter 4 verse 10 the people themselves were thinking they were not able to do the work.  Whenever you get into a situation remember the Lord.  Remember when the Children of Israel wanted to leave Egypt, every time Pharaoh said no but God said yes.  In the wilderness they cried for food and God brought them food.  When the enemy came against them at the Red Sea they thought there was no way they could get to the other side but God opened up the sea so they could walk through it.  Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith and we need to remember that.  When it seems that too much comes against you turn to God’s word and his promises.   Remember Elisha’s servant – he looked up and could see the enemy on the hills surrounding them but Elisha told him that there was far more for them that against them.

 

The reaction to the challenge.  Nehemiah told the people to “fight for your brethren, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your houses.”  The battle lines are drawn.  We dare not allow our loved ones to be taken.  Don’t give up on them.  Remember when God was going to destroy Sodom, Abraham his servant wanted his family to be delivered safely. He got before God and pleaded for them.  Mary and Martha fought the sickness in their home – they sent for Jesus to come.  Jairus also called for Jesus to come and heal his daughter who was at the point of death.  Many of our loved ones are in the same position today and they need our prayers.  Paul reminded Timothy that he had found a grandmother and mother who had been faithful in praying for him and teaching him the things of God.  “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6 verse 12)  Fight for them.  Pray and plead, ask the Lord to save them.

 

The results that came – verse 15.  The walls were built in record time – 52 days (Nehemiah 6 verse 15).  The work was accomplished.  The Lord was glorified.