Praying and Working

Nehemiah 4:7-8 NLT
“But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the work was going ahead and that the gaps in the wall of Jerusalem were being repaired, they were furious. They all made plans to come and fight against Jerusalem and throw us into confusion.’ But we prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves.”

Explanation:
The enemies of Israel saw that their intimidation was not working so they stepped up their threats. They did not come alone, they brought old enemies along that hatted Israel. The enemy’s tactics are never brilliant, typically they are the same tricks over and over again.

One thing the enemies knew was that from past knowledge, if they pressed Israel hard enough, they would stop and fall back into trusting themselves and utterly fail. But this day was a new day with a new leader, Nehemiah. Nehemiah was strong in the Lord, and he had a clear understanding of what God expected of him.

Nehemiah’s strategy was to Pray first of all, then continue the work. He rallied the people together, set up guards to guard the people, and encourage the people.

Practicality in Christianity can be overused or under used. Some people will pray and expect God to do the work. Some will pray like Nehemiah, believe, and then get to work, knowing God will intervene. Which group are we?

Prayer:
Lord, I put my trust in You. Defeat the enemy, but I will not sit idly by and just wait, I will work while You are working in my life and working to frustrate the plans of the enemy! In Your name Lord, Amen!