Facing Discouragement [Nehemiah Part 3]
The Halfway Point
Nehemiah 4:6 So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.
Discouragement: The Internal and the External
Nehemiah 4:10 Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.” 11 Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right thereamong them and will kill them and put an end to the work.”
And the External
Now you are not the only enemy you face. There is a way to overcome the internal discouragement. But we also have to be aware of the external discouragement. Nehemiah 4:11 Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.”
Guard your weakness
Nehemiah 4:13 Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows.
Remember The Why.
Nehemiah 4:1 4 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”
Find the Balance
Nehemiah 4:16 From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah 17 who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other,
Keep the Momentum
Nehemiah 4:21 So we continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out. 22 At that time I also said to the people, “Have every man and his helper stay inside Jerusalem at night, so they can serve us as guards by night and as workers by day.” 23 Neither I nor my brothers nor my men nor the guards with me took off our clothes; each had his weapon, even when he went for water.
