PLAN AND PROVIDENCE

Nehemiah 4:15–23 NKJV

And it happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had brought their plot to nothing, that all of us returned to the wall, everyone to his work. So it was, from that time on, that half of my servants worked at construction, while the other half held the spears, the shields, the bows, and wore armor; and the leaders were behind all the house of Judah. Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon. Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built. And the one who sounded the trumpet was beside me. Then I said to the nobles, the rulers, and the rest of the people, “The work is great and extensive, and we are separated far from one another on the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.” So we labored in the work, and half of the men held the spears from daybreak until the stars appeared. At the same time I also said to the people, “Let each man and his servant stay at night in Jerusalem, that they may be our guard by night and a working party by day.” So neither I, my brethren, my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me took off our clothes, except that everyone took them off for washing.

Main Idea: Christian trust God and serve faithfully.

Key Question: Does your trust in God lead your activity?

1. The Lord destroys the best made plans. (v. 15)

Nehemiah 4:15 NKJV

And it happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had brought their plot to nothing, that all of us returned to the wall, everyone to his work.

Job 5:12 NKJV

He frustrates the devices of the crafty, So that their hands cannot carry out their plans.

Psalm 33:10–11 NKJV

The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations.

2. The wants Lord to use you to carry out his plan. (v. 15-23)

Nehemiah 4:15 NKJV

And it happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had brought their plot to nothing, that all of us returned to the wall, everyone to his work.

Severity of God and Human responsibility

A. You are used for combat and construction. (v. 16-17)

Nehemiah 4:16–17 NKJV

So it was, from that time on, that half of my servants worked at construction, while the other half held the spears, the shields, the bows, and wore armor; and the leaders were behind all the house of Judah. Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon.

Hebrews 4:12 NKJV

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NKJV

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Ephesians 6:12 NKJV

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

B. You are led by courageous leaders. (v. 18-19)

Nehemiah 4:18–19 NKJV

Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built. And the one who sounded the trumpet was beside me. Then I said to the nobles, the rulers, and the rest of the people, “The work is great and extensive, and we are separated far from one another on the wall.

Acts 5:29 NKJV

But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.

C. You are use when you have conviction. (v. 20)

Nehemiah 4:20 NKJV

Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”

Deuteronomy 1:30 NKJV

The Lord your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes,

Joshua 23:10 NKJV

One man of you shall chase a thousand, for the Lord your God is He who fights for you, as He promised you.

D. You are used when you have deep commitment. (v. 21-23)

Nehemiah 4:21–23 NKJV

So we labored in the work, and half of the men held the spears from daybreak until the stars appeared. At the same time I also said to the people, “Let each man and his servant stay at night in Jerusalem, that they may be our guard by night and a working party by day.” So neither I, my brethren, my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me took off our clothes, except that everyone took them off for washing.

Philippians 3:13–14 NKJV

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.