May 19 - Nevertheless.

Nehemiah 4:9
“Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.”
 
The work had begun despite the opposition.
The wall was being built in sections, but all by the same team.
 
The more they worked, they more the opposition continued.
What may have been a justified reason to quit became the fuel to press on.
 
Nehemiah 4:6
“So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.”
 
Nehemiah faithfully took their situation to the Lord in prayer. All the while, Sanballat and his conspirators came together to fight against and hinder the work that was being done in Jerusalem.
 
“Nevertheless…”
Regardless of the persecution he faced, Nehemiah was determined to pray for God to intervene. 
 
Rather than attempt to handle the adversaries, he chose to allow God to fight for them.
 
Nehemiah 4:15
“And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.”
 
There were builders and there were burden bearers. 
Much like the work of the ministry today.
 
Nehemiah 4:17
“They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.”
 
Each of them had a part in what God was doing through them. 
They had one hand in the work and held a weapon with the other hand. 
 
What a picture of how we should work today.
Take the Sword in your hand and work with the other.
 
Hebrews 4:12
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
 
The Word of God is both our weapon and our comfort in the great work that He has for us to do.
 
Nehemiah 4:19-20
“…The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another. In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us.”
 
What a comfort it is to know that our God fights for us just the same today.
 
Nehemiah 4:21
“So we laboured in the work…”
 
Allow His Word to strengthen your hands and encourage you to continue on in the work, regardless of the opposition.  
 
“Nevertheless…”
 
 
Bible Reading:
2 Samuel 1-2   |    1 Corinthians 7