Neh 4:9 | KingComments | STEP | When Nehemiah learns of their plans, he does not panic. He will not deliberate feverishly in order to come to a conclusive answer. His attitude radiates calm when we read his reaction. He and his associates start praying. That is a wonderful testimony of trust in God. For him it is not an emergency brake, not a last resort. Praying is his daily work. He has a confidential relationship with God. He can always turn to Him. But Nehemiah is not the hovering kind who is blind to his own responsibility. Besides prayer, there is also sober vigilance ( ; ). He stands with both feet on the ground. He sets up a guard. And not for a moment, but constantly, “day and night”. He will have instructed the guards very impressively not to slacken or fall asleep for a moment. They mustn’t let themselves be distracted. The lives of all the workers depend on their vigilance.

‏ Nehemiah 4:9

Pray and Watch

When Nehemiah learns of their plans, he does not panic. He will not deliberate feverishly in order to come to a conclusive answer. His attitude radiates calm when we read his reaction. He and his associates start praying. That is a wonderful testimony of trust in God. For him it is not an emergency brake, not a last resort. Praying is his daily work. He has a confidential relationship with God. He can always turn to Him.

But Nehemiah is not the hovering kind who is blind to his own responsibility. Besides prayer, there is also sober vigilance (Mt 26:41; Eph 6:18). He stands with both feet on the ground. He sets up a guard. And not for a moment, but constantly, “day and night”. He will have instructed the guards very impressively not to slacken or fall asleep for a moment. They mustn’t let themselves be distracted. The lives of all the workers depend on their vigilance.