Standing Watch on the Wall. Nehemiah 4:1-23 As the Jews rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, they encounter various struggles along the way.A. Ridicule (4:1-6) B. Conspiracy (4:7-9) C. Discouragement (4:10) D. Intimidation (4:11-23)1.The craftiness of the enemy 4:11-12The enemies of the Jews make plans to swoop down upon them and kill them.2.The challenge of the prophet 4:13-14Nehemiah places armed guards in exposed areas and encourages the Jews to trust in the Lord.3.The commitment of the workers 4:15-23Nehemiah divides the workers in half.One half stands guard while the other half works. They labor from sunrise to sunset, being ever vigilant.
Finally, Jerusalem’s ruined walls were rebuilt because every citizen of Judah had a task.There was no hired army sent to the walls to pay the price while the rest of Israel hid in safe retreat at the rear.Every family, every man, every woman, every child was at the wall either standing watch or rebuilding their hedge of protection.It wasn’t somebody else’s wall.It was their wall.It wasn’t somebody else’s call to repair.It was everybody’s call.It has been when America’s enemies have breached the wall.America has repelled the enemy because every man, woman, and child came to the wall.Yes, today we honor with the highest esteem those who have stood watch on the wall.We remember those who stood in the gap even to the point of laying down their lives.Without them there would be no America and there would not exist the abundant blessings and freedoms we now enjoy.But just as the history of Israel is clear, so is the history of America.America has rebuilt her walls time and time again because her people heard the of God and came to the wall.