Nehemiah

Nehemiah 4: Praying and watching on the wall

Begin in prayer

Before we read about enemies who plot against the builders, let us ask the LORD to teach us who fights for His people. Please ask Him to give our family peace and to show us Jesus, who won the greatest victory.

Yahweh will fight for you, and you shall be still.”

Exodus 14:14

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You fight for Your people, and help us to see Christ's victory. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

When Sanballat hears the wall is going up, he is angry and mocks the Jews in front of the army of Samaria. Tobiah laughs that a fox could break down their stone wall, and Nehemiah asks God to hear, because they are despised. The people keep building until the whole wall is joined together to half its height, because the people had a mind to work. Then the enemies from every side plan to fight against Jerusalem, and Judah is tired, with much rubble. Nehemiah sets a watch, puts families at the weak places with swords, spears and bows, and tells them to remember the Lord. God brings their plans to nothing, so everyone returns to the wall, with a tool in one hand and a weapon in the other. A trumpeter stands beside Nehemiah, who tells the people, “Our God will fight for us.”

As you read Nehemiah 4, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God fights for His people and brings their enemies' plans to nothing.

The enemy's first weapon is words. Sanballat calls the Jews feeble, and Tobiah says a fox could break down their wall (verses 2 and 3). Nehemiah answers by praying, and then the people keep building (verses 4 to 6). Soon the mocking becomes a plan, and enemies from every side plot to fight Jerusalem (verses 7 and 8). Verse 9 holds the pattern of the chapter, “we made our prayer to our God, and set a watch against them day and night.” Praying did not replace watching, and watching did not replace praying. In the end the victory is God's, because “God had brought their counsel to nothing” (verse 15). Jesus also faced a world set against Him. By the cross He triumphed over every power set against His people (Colossians 2 verse 15).

How does Nehemiah 4 show us that God fights for His people and brings their enemies' plans to nothing?

The enemies laugh, and Nehemiah turns to God.

Sanballat says the builders are feeble, and Tobiah says a fox would break their wall (verses 2 and 3). Nehemiah asks God to hear, because the builders are despised (verse 4). The work goes on, and the wall joins together to half its height (verse 6).

They pray, and they set a guard day and night.

Plots grow on every side, and Judah says their strength is failing (verses 8 and 10). They “made our prayer to our God” and set a watch (verse 9). Nehemiah puts families with swords, spears and bows in the weak places (verse 13).

God brings the enemies' plans to nothing.

The enemies had said they would come in and make the work stop (verse 11). When they heard their plan was known, “God had brought their counsel to nothing” (verse 15). Nehemiah says, “Our God will fight for us” (verse 20). Jesus won the greatest victory for His people on the cross (Colossians 2 verse 15).

Memorise

Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally there to us. Our God will fight for us.

Nehemiah 4:20

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, who is my help when I am afraid, and do I trust Jesus?

The builders held a tool in one hand and a weapon in the other. Nehemiah told them, “Our God will fight for us.” That promise comes down to us in Christ.

The worst enemy of God's people is not Sanballat. It is sin, with death behind it. Jesus fought that battle alone. He went to the cross, and there He took the guilt of His people on Himself. On the third day God raised Him, and the tomb could not hold Him. His victory needs nothing from us to finish it.

So do not fight your sin alone. Cry to Him. Turn from your sin, and put your trust in Jesus. He forgives all who come, and He will fight for them to the end.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God fights for His people, and that Jesus won the victory over sin and death on the cross. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He fights for His people, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, and each one may name something that makes them afraid.

And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom; to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

2 Timothy 4:18

Great and awesome God, thank You that You fight for Your people. Thank You for the victory of Jesus over sin and death. When we are afraid, remind us to pray and to trust You, and lead each of us to trust Jesus. Amen.