Restart: Stepping Out in FaithSample

BUILDING ON A FIRM FOUNDATION The building materials for the wall were of the finest quality, having been secured directly from the royal forest. But even that was not enough to guarantee security from the attacks of the enemy. Indeed, what Nehemiah and his men were building on was the Word of God. A covenant between God and his people. If you’ve managed to avoid the enemy at one juncture, be sure you’ll find him waiting for you at yet another. What started off as insulting words by Sanballat and his gang escalated into a plan of attack. The walls were at the halfway mark, a point at which the builders may have been tired and needed encouragement to continue. Yet, they were heckled, insulted, and their enemies tried to pick a fight. Nehemiah rallied the people to pray. But he also stationed a 24-hour guard watch along the wall. A prudent and ingenious move. Watch out for the landmines! Watch …and pray! What can you tell about Nehemiah’s leadership from his response to the attacks on his people? As you contemplate mobilizing community-driven projects, take time to seek divine guidance and to wait on God’s response. Pray: Hear, O Lord, when we call on you. Place a shield around us and protect us from our enemies.