Swords and Shovels   THE POINT We all face opposition of one kind or another.  Nehemiah shows us a strategy for victory.   WORKING THE PLAN Nehemiah 4:6-9 (NIV) So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart. But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the men of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem's walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.   Nehemiah 4:13-14 (NIV) 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 brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes."

Nehemiah 4:15-18 (NIV) When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to his own work. From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the othaer half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked.   LESSONS FROM THIS SECTION The first thing mentioned is that they prayed. In addition to prayer, they had a prudent, practical strategy. They fought as families and neighbors. They were alert and diligent.  They went about their work but were ready for battle at any moment.