In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work. But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth, and conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it”, and in chapter four and verse nine of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “we made our prayer unto our God”, where we read,
Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God,
and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.
The verse reads, “Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, ...” Nehemiah began with the words, “nevertheless we made our prayer” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover we, Nehemiah and the people of Jerusalem, meditated and interceded and intreated” “unto our God” which means “to our, Nehemiah and the people of Jerusalem's, Supreme Deity”. Nehemiah shared how he and the people of Jerusalem made orations and appeals to Jehovah “God”after they heard about their foes.
The verse continues, “... and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.” Nehemiah added the words, “and set a watch” or “and raised, caused to stand firm, ordained and appointed a guard post or observance” “against them day and night” which means “in opposition to Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites during the daytime and nighttime hours”, “because of them” or “since and on account of their foes”. Nehemiah shared how they also took action by appointing a guard post during the daytime and nighttime on account of their adversaries.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah how he and the people of Jerusalem went to Jehovah God in “prayer” when they perceived “Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites'” threats against them. They also appointed people to act as watchers or guards to protect the workers in Jerusalem. The work of God must always go forth, however, it is not accomplished without opposition. (See John 16:33) When these times come, we are wise to follow the example of Nehemiah to go to “God” in “prayer” and to take protective measures for outside threats. When we realize God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead three days later, we may go to “God in prayer” and take protective measures as we receive Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”. When we surrender to Him, our sins will be forgiven, we shall inherit eternal life and we shall be given the ability by His Holy Spirit to fulfill His commission in His Kingdom even when adversaries and foes rise up against us.
Next time Nehemiah shares how, “Judah said, the strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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