NEHEMIAH'S history can but furnish a helpful lesson in building up the consciousness in Truth, for we read that his desire became strong to restore the walls of Jerusalem, the city of his fathers, and to honor the one God, and that he accomplished his noble purpose by knowing how to work. First and always he knew that it was God's work he was doing, so there was no faltering in him, nor were there any backward glances or mistakes. Fear of the authorities in the land of his captivity was overcome by clinging to God and keeping Him clearly in view as he set out alone to return to his native land and start the work.
Accomplishing the journey to Jerusalem, the prophet found many ready and willing to follow his leadership and work earnestly by his side. Enemies, however, arose, who directed their efforts against the success of Nehemiah and his band; but the workers pressed on day and night with their loving task. The enemies first scoffed at the undertaking as absurd, then raised a force against them to prevent the accomplishment of the work, some of those within the decayed walls joining with those without. "Nevertheless," writes the prophet, "we made our prayer unto our God, and sot a watch against them day and night."
At one time Nehemiah was compelled to use only half this volunteer force for the actual building up of the walls, while the other half was set to watch against Sanballat and Tobiah. Whole families were appointed to keep guard. Day and night they stood on the lookout for the treacherous foe, who but for these sentinels would have torn down as fast as the workmen could build up. We are reminded that "they also serve who only stand and wait." Nehemiah placed the activity of watching as equal in value with that of lifting and carrying stones and putting them in position. Thus he and his faithful brethren succeeded in repairing the walls of the beloved city of their forefathers, in rebuilding their homes, and in establishing again the worship of God among the remnant left whose hearts were ready. It is worthy of note that busy as they all were, Nehemiah "appointed two great companies of them that gave thanks," and great were the rejoicings which resulted from such faithfulness.
