The Bible gives the account of how Nehemiah and his fellow workers succeeded in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem in spite of the foes who sought to deter them on every side. Their success provides inspiration to all who prayerfully work to build spiritual fortification against the ills that seem to besiege mankind. Christian Science teaches that the spiritual universe, including the real man of God's creating, coexists with God and reflects His goodness. Since there is no element of discord in God's allness, the foe to be vanquished is the delusion that evil is real.
The workers of Nehemiah's day were alert to the foe. It is recorded (Neh. 4:18), "The builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded." The trumpeter was directed to sound a warning at whatever point the enemy threatened to attack. Nehemiah instructed the men, saying: "The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another. In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us."
Like the builders of the wall, the Christian Scientist must be alert to that which parades as the foe. The enemy has no functioning power unless the Scientist accepts the false belief that God is not All. It is significant to note that each builder of the wall "had his sword girded by his side," readily available.
