Nehemiah received permission from King Artaxerxes to return to the Hebrew people and rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. 

While they were working, there was much opposition from external sources. They faced considerable gossip that Nehemiah was attempting to overthrow the King. They dealt with men threatening to physically subvert their progress. 

Nehemiah 4:13-18

“When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work. From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me.”

Identifying with Israel

It is so striking that these men had to work and defend simultaneously. 

It’s wild to consider that type of split focus—to work diligently because the city walls were gravely important, yet also to keep aware of the lurking enemy. 

For my context, it would be like doing laundry with a gun strapped to my hip. Ridiculous. 

And exhausting.

I immediately identified with them. 

From revealing to repentance

Let me back up. 

Recently God has revealed sin to me—sin I have held on to for so long. God gave me apt resources to put it to death: the Church, accountability, scripture, psalms and hymns, and prayer.  

As I repented and began to work to put it to death, I found I was having an increasingly harder time with this iniquity. It had become my default response to stressful and chaotic times. I was so busy working that I forgot to defend against the Enemy’s temptations. I am to do both, work and defend, simultaneously. 

Galatians 5:24 “And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Work and defend.

Work and defend. 

It isn’t up to me

Then the book of Nehemiah grew deeper. 

I identified with them because I was working to no longer be a slave to this sin at the same time as the Enemy was barraging me with temptation. I took on their mentality to do both. This became my new mindset, which was very empowering for a few days. 

However, I quickly felt like I was losing. 

It was just too hard.

I could not focus on both. 

Then I was gently reminded by one of my closest people. 

I am to have a hammer in one hand and a sword in the other and a smile on my face because it isn’t up to me.  

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13

I am called to work and to watch God work, and all for His glory. I work, defend, endure, remain steadfast, pursue peace…and rest in the finished work of the cross. 

This divided focus in parenting

I have recently realized that I am working and defending with three little people behind me. They are young, so I work and defend for them, too. 

It’s easy to grow weary and even dizzy when thinking about the world my daughters are inheriting. If you aren’t convinced and squarely set in gospel truth, then the world will surely cause you to flip in a minute. The stakes are high in parenting children. I feel it and see it everywhere. 

But what an incredible God we serve who reminds us how to order our energy.For his glory I work, defend, endure, remain steadfast, pursue peace, pray and rest in the finished work of Christ on the cross and in his resurrection.