When you start working in life, you’ll quickly learn that you must not only build but also battle. There’s a phase in your spiritual journey where, as a new believer in Christ, God shields you. His protection is evident, especially in the early stages after salvation. However, as you grow spiritually and mature, the pressure becomes more intense, much like a natural parent shielding their child. This protection evolves, but the challenges become greater.

In Nehemiah 4, we see the battle that begins in chapter 2, a battle that never truly ends. As believers, we must learn to build and battle simultaneously. Many people become so focused on just building or just battling that they miss the key lesson: learning to use both a tool in one hand and a weapon in the other. God calls us to build and fight at the same time.

Now, let’s delve into Nehemiah 4:1-8 (NIV). When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry. He ridiculed and mocked the Jews in front of his associates and the army of Samaria, asking five key questions. These questions represent what the enemy wants to know about you:

1. What are these feeble Jews doing?
2. Will they restore their wall?
3. Will they offer sacrifices?
4. Will they finish it in a day?
5. Can they bring stones back to life from these heaps of rubble?

Sanballat’s mocking didn’t stop there. Tobiah, the Ammonite beside him, added, “What are they building? Even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stone.” This shows the enemy’s continuous attempt to undermine the work being done.

Nehemiah’s response was prayer. He prayed, asking God not to let their insults go unanswered but to turn them back on their heads. He prayed for God’s justice, asking that their sins not be forgiven for the harm they caused to the builders. The people worked hard, and halfway through the rebuilding, the wall stood tall. But this is the turning point: it’s often at the halfway mark in a battle that weariness sets in. The enemy attempts to weaken and discourage you.

Despite the ridicule, the people worked with all their hearts, but the opposition grew. Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the people of Ashdod all conspired together to fight against Jerusalem. Their anger intensified as they saw the gaps in the wall being closed, signaling progress. But Nehemiah didn’t give up. The first thing he did was pray.

In the face of opposition, Nehemiah understood that prayer was vital. But prayer alone wasn’t enough. He posted guards day and night to protect the work, showing how spiritual and natural strategies work together. Prayer and vigilance are key when battling life’s challenges. Nehemiah not only prayed but also prepared his people to fight.

As the work continued, the people of Judah grew weary. They complained that the strength of the laborers was fading, and there was too much rubble to rebuild the wall. The enemy took advantage of this, threatening them with fear and discouragement. The greatest battle often comes from the fear of the unknown or the pressure of external threats.

In summary, building and battling go hand in hand. To succeed, we must pray, stay vigilant, and continue building despite the challenges. God’s protection, combined with action, will always lead to victory.