We prayed…and we set a watch

“Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.” - Nehemiah 4v9

I love to read about Nehemiah. He had the proper balance of spirituality and practicality in his service for the Lord. Perhaps this is the reason that God did not use a priest or a prophet for this work. He knew that they may not focus on the practical aspects of the work.

Sanballat, Tobiah, and others began mocking and ridiculing the workers on the wall. Then they began threatening an attack. Nehemiah was not about to be deterred. He sent the men back to work on the wall. They prayed, which was the right thing to do. Asking God’s blessing and protection should be first and foremost. But they didn’t stop there; they also set a watch for the enemy.

Was this a lack of faith? Should they not have just prayed and trusted God to take care of them? That is fine, but God also gives us reason and wisdom. Nehemiah found the right balance for God’s work. Pray, but also be sensible in our service.