Nehemiah 4:13-23

the Triumph of Courage and Devotion

Nehemiah 4:13

The work of rebuilding the ruins of Zion is typical of our efforts as Christians to counteract the deterioration which is ever at work in our own hearts, in the professing Church, and in society. No one who attempts this work will escape hostility, covert or manifested. That is a suggestive attitude pictured here; the girded sword, the spear in one hand, and the trowel in the other. So they wrought, with ear intent for the trumpet sound, ready for any emergency, and yet sure that God would fight for them. All the people of God should make common cause against a common foe. We stand or fall together, Nehemiah 4:20. Our hands must be familiar with the sword against the attack of our spiritual enemies, and with the trowel to contribute our bit of work towards God's building.