Nehemiah Chapters 4-6

4:1 - Why is Sanballat so angry? Because he sees the rebuilding of Jerusalem as an affront to his authority. Instead of working alongside the Jews and creating alliances that would lead to peace - he allows his ego to dictate his course of action.

4:9 - The people pray and trust in God, but they still prepare themselves for battle. They use the minds that God gave them and devise a good defensive strategy. This doesn't mean that they don't trust God...this means that they are willing to fight for the calling that God has placed on them.

4:14 - I am reminded of the lamest final speech a commander ever gave his troops, which happens to come from a movie called "300." In an effort to inspire his troops. Leonidas offers them this encouraging tidbit, "Tonight we dine in hell!" Wow - if I was in that army...I would have had my second thoughts at that point...that doesn't sound like the stuff of inspiration. Nehemiah on the other hand knows how to inspire the troops...he says, "Do not be afraid - remember the awesome power of our God, and fight for your future - your brothers, your sisters, your children...that is why we stand...that is why we fight!" Now that is a speech I can get behind.

4:17-18 - I love this passage. They are working away on the wall with weapons strapped all over their bodies. Like I said before...this doesn't mean that don't trust God...it just shows how committed they are to following through on the rebuilding that God called them to. God often works through human means, when the human make themselves available to His will and that is exactly what these people are doing!

5:8 - One of the most frustrating things in youth ministry is when you come home from an incredible mission trip where the kids have served and worked hard all week...and in the vans on the way back they start treating each other like garbage. It's like they have instantly forgotten about the entire experience and can only think of themselves. It has got to be really frustrating here for Nehemiah. They are in the midst of returning from captivity and rebuilding their homeland and some of the Jewish leaders are actually enslaving their Jewish brothers with debt! Nehemiah gives them the old what-for!

5:13 - Very nice object illustration!

5:18-19 - Nehemiah actually sets the example for other leaders with his generosity. He could be taking a governor's allowance from his people, but instead his is feeding over 150 people from his own pocket every day. He has allowed his anger over the greed of other leaders to drive him to make a difference and bring change. Great example for us.

6:16 - The surrounding people who have mocked the Jews and tried to stop the rebuilding are now shaking in their boots, because the walls have been completed. They know without a doubt that God is once again with the people of Israel and it scares them. There should be a noticeable difference int he lives and accomplishments of those who walk in the path of the most high God. Go live it out.