a series through the book of Nehemiah

Diligence & vigilance

Neh.4:6-13

a series through the book of Nehemiah

Neh.4:6-136 So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. 7 But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. 8 And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. 9 And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.

a series through the book of Nehemiah

10 In Judah it was said, “The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall.” 11 And our enemies said, “They will not know or see till we come among them and kill them and stop the work.” 12 At that time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten times, “You must return to us.” 13 So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows.

a series through the book of Nehemiah

To realize our vision, we need to be diligent AND vigilant.

1. Vigilant in our Diligence for there will be:• Discouragement, caused by

o Exhaustion (v. 10) o Doubt

a series through the book of Nehemiah

To realize our vision, we need to be diligent AND vigilant

1. Vigilant in our Diligence for there will be:• Opposition: Satan will take notice

o mock => doubt (Ch. 2, 4:1-3,)o threat => fear (vv. 8, 11-12) o angry, attack => stoppage of work

in proportion to the progress of the work

a series through the book of Nehemiah

To realize our vision, we need to be diligent AND vigilant

2. Diligent in our Vigilance• United we stand (vv. 19 -20)

o Connectednesso Cover for each other: sound the horn

and here we are.Satan will exploit any weak link in our defense

a series through the book of Nehemiah

To realize our vision, we need to be diligent AND vigilant.

2. Diligent in our Vigilance• be devoted to prayer (v. 21)• watch & pray (Mt. 26:41, Col. 4:2)

a series through the book of Nehemiah

Mt. 26:41, Mk. 14:38 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”Col 4:2Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

Col 4:2 (Message)Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude.