Neither I nor my brothers nor my men nor the guards with me took off our clothes; each had his weapon

Nehemiah 4:10-23

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.”

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.”

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. 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.”

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 who were building the wall. and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me.

So we continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out. 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.” 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.

Why?

This is a team work so everyone has to work together, not only work but also protect themselves. So half people are working and the other half of the people hold weapons to protect them, and with a trumpet to communicate among them. Nehemiah asked them to stay in Jerusalem at night so that they could work together and help each other.

Each of us needs to be aware that enemies are trying to find the gap to attack us, be aware to follow the Lord, and prevent sins from entering our hearts.

To be a leader not only do the right things but also be a good example to all followers.

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灰土尚多，扛擡的人力氣已經衰敗：沒有辦法完成，非常困難。做到一半往往是最累的時候，開始灰心。第二是被敵人嚇到！也許是自己想的謠言，自己嚇自己。尼西米面對這樣的狀況：開始組織軍隊，準備對抗，對猶大人做心理建設。為自己的家、財產而爭戰，不是拉高到為神為國家爭戰。敵人沒有來反而提高軍事預備，不要只顧工程，也要彼此支援。

尼西米在難處中看重神的力量！

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How?

Let my mind and my heart be aware of the enemies, and sins, and trust in the Lord in my life way.