God’s Strength in Our Work Part 2

Book Nehemiah New Hope Baptist Church   Date 14 September 2025

Bible Reading: Nehemiah 4 Scripture Ref: Nehemiah 4:19-23

Title: God’s Strength in Our Work Part 2

Introduction

Good morning, Church. It is wonderful to see you all again this Lord’s Day. Praise God for giving us strength in our work, sustaining us so that His glory may be made known.

Welcome back to our series in Nehemiah. Previously, we looked at chapter 4, verses 15–18.

In verse 15, we saw how God brought the counsel of the wicked to nought. He Himself intervened against the conspiracy of the enemies. When the people witnessed God nullifying the work of their adversaries, they all responded by returning to work on the wall.

Verses 16 and 17 show the diligence of dual devotion. The workers were also warriors. Not only did the people return to work, but they also stood ready to defend against the persistent and unpredictable attacks of their enemies.

In verse 18, each worker had a weapon strapped to his side, and Nehemiah continued to lead with a trumpeter beside him. As much as we need faithful and diligent workers, we also need faithful and diligent leaders—leaders who continually go to God for guidance.

This morning, we will look at the remaining verses of chapter 4, from verse 19 to 23. Please open your Bibles to Nehemiah 4 and place your favourite bookmark there. Let us all stand and read God’s Word together.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

You are the great and sovereign God. We praise You for Your righteousness, holiness, and justice.

Father please have mercy on us and shower us with Your enduring lovingkindness. We have sinned against You—personally, as families, as a church, and as a nation. Father, forgive us for our sins.

Bring down Your wrath and judgment upon the wicked. Show Your hand against the corrupt, those who have no integrity, and those who blaspheme Your holy name. Let Your justice prevail, O Lord, for You are a God of truth.

Yet, Father, let not Your mercy grow weary. Be gracious to us because Your steadfast love endures forever. We cling to the righteousness of our Saviour and hide behind Him, acknowledging Your holiness and fearing Your righteous judgment.

Thank You, Father, for Your ever-welcoming arms that protect, provide, and sustain us. You alone are faithful and true, unchanging, the great I AM.

As we come before Your Word this morning, grant us clarity of heart and understanding of mind. Keep our attention fixed on You, for we are prone to distraction. Teach us, Father, to trust Your sovereign hand, as You displayed in the life of Nehemiah, protecting Your people and thwarting the plans of the enemy.

Minister to our hearts through Your Word, Lord, and let it dwell richly in our daily lives. May it guide us, strengthen us, and draw us ever closer to You.

We thank You for speaking to us today through Your Word.

We ask all this in the mighty name of Christ Jesus, our intercessor and Saviour.

Amen.

God’s Strength in Our Work Part 2

Create a Propositional Statement

When you are overwhelmed by testing and trial, when temptation presents itself to entice you toward your lusts, what is your immediate, default response?

Do you rely on your own strength, your own wisdom, your own resources, or your own experience? Do you try to resolve it yourself, trusting that you have the power to fix it?

Beloved, how many times has God displayed His sovereign hand in your life? Consider the time when He granted you faith by His grace so that you might repent of your sins and receive Christ as your Saviour.

Did He not intervene in your life, nullifying the power of sin and death over you? Did He not take your sin and placed it upon the Saviour and credit you with the righteousness of Christ?

This morning, I want us to meditate on God’s intervening hand, as He displayed it in Nehemiah, thwarting the conspiracies of His enemies. More importantly, I want us to live in the reality of this truth—faithfully, courageously, and confidently committed to God’s will and purposes—so that His glory may be made known in our lives.

We will consider these three points this morning.

1. Courageous Counsel (v. 19)

o Nehemiah honestly assesses the challenge and encourages the leaders and people to face the great work boldly despite their scattered positions.

2. Commanded Confidence (v. 20)

o A clear call to rally at the trumpet’s sound, coupled with the assured promise that God will fight for His people.

3. Constant Commitment (v. 21–23)

o The people persist tirelessly, working from dawn to night, guarding faithfully, and remaining ready even in rest.

1 Courageous Counsel (v19)

19And I said

unto the nobles,

and to the rulers,

and to the rest of the people,

The work is great

and large,

and we are separated

upon the wall,

one far from another.

After experiencing God’s intervention in stopping the conspiracy of their enemies, Nehemiah continues his courageous counsel.

Remember, Nehemiah came from Susa, from the Persian palace. He is the King’s cupbearer. Here, he is assuming leadership and authority in Jerusalem by addressing the nobles, the rulers, and the rest of the people. He is speaking not just to motivate and give instructions, but also to lead by example as a godly and practical leader.

Notice that he addresses the nobles first. These are the aristocrats, the leading men of Judah. Nehemiah addresses them first because they have authority and influence and can mobilise others effectively.

Next, he addresses the rulers. These are the civic and military officials. By speaking to them, Nehemiah ensures that all layers of leadership are aligned, uniting the city’s leadership for the task at hand.

Finally, he speaks to all the rest of the citizens of Jerusalem—the common people and those who serve them. Nehemiah is not only addressing leadership but also the entire body of the people.

He recognises that everyone shares collective responsibility, and that God’s work requires both leaders and citizens to work together in unity.

So, what does Nehemiah say to them? Look at the middle of verse 19. First, he says, “The work is great.”

He is stressing the magnitude and significance of the task before them. Rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem is no small undertaking; it cannot be done half-heartedly. It will demand strength, determination, and perseverance from everyone involved.

When Nehemiah says the work is great, he is not talking only about size. He is speaking of its importance, seriousness, and weightiness. The walls are vital, protecting the people from danger and providing security.

The work is great in magnitude and scale—the wall must encompass the entire city, strong and wide enough to withstand attack.

It is great in difficulty and challenge—the labour is physically demanding, and while they build, they are exposed to enemies.

It is great in significance and value—rebuilding the wall is not just construction; it is the restoration of God’s people and the affirmation of His covenant.

Because the work is great, it requires humility, dependence on God, vigilance, and diligence. It is not something to be underestimated.

Yet, some may become discouraged when confronted by the greatness of the task, seeing only the obstacles or the debris still littering the ground.

I remember when Aileen and I left Bankstown Hospital after giving birth to Hazy. We reached the car, looked at each other, filled with disbelief and joy, and then asked ourselves, “Now what?” This baby did not come with a manual. The work is great.

Loved ones, consider this: how do you view your ministry in your home—as a husband or wife, father or mother, child?

How do you see yourself as a member of this church, in your employment, or as a citizen of this nation?

Have you considered that your work, your ministry is great? Have you ever truly reflected on that? God’s work, whether in the walls of Jerusalem or in the lives He calls us to lead, is always weighty, important, and worthy of our full devotion.

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Then Nehemiah describes the work as large. It’s the entire wall!

This emphasizes the breadth, height, width, and physical scope of the task.

While the phrase “the work is great” stresses its significance and weight, the phrase “the work is large” stresses its size, reach, and comprehensiveness.

The work they were undertaking would not only be difficult but also expansive. It involved the entire wall—its many sections, towers, gates, and long distances—and would require a significant amount of logistics and coordination.

By describing its size, Nehemiah highlights that this work cannot be done overnight, by a few people, or without unity. The wall is logistically demanding.

It requires a coordinated effort, with many people working together with united hearts, wills, and determination, simultaneously building. Large work demands strategy, planning, and division of labour.

Loved ones, do you see the expanse of God’s work in your life? It is vast. It is not only importantbut also far-reaching, requiring many of us to participate faithfully.

Yet, sadly, many Christians acknowledge that the work is great and large and yet remain undisturbed, apathetic, or lazy, showing little concern for the immense and scope of the task God has entrusted to His people.

Why, then, does a pastor need to motivate, exhort, and pull the people forward, as if he alone bears the responsibility for God’s great and large work of ministry? Aren’t we all responsible?

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Nehemiah then identifies the practical challenge (the problem) created by the importance and size of the task. Because the wall is so significant and large, the builders are spread out along its expanse, making them vulnerable, isolated, and in need of coordination.

Look at the next line:

“and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another.”

The people were spread out along the length and mass of the wall. Each person or team was vulnerable to enemy attack, because no family or group was strong enough on its own.

Separation meant they could not rely on themselves; if left isolated, they faced real danger and weakness.

In the same way, Christians who are not members of a local church—whether by choice or circumstance—are more vulnerable to temptation, discouragement, and false teaching.

Apart from the body, there is no regular means of edification, discipleship, or discipline (Heb. 10:24–25).

Loved ones, God’s work is NOT SOMETHING YOU DEFINE for yourself in isolation. God’s work is in His church. This is the local body Christ purchased with His own blood, the temple where the Spirit dwells, and the household for discipleship, discipline, and service.

Yes, you glorify God in your workplace, your home, your community, and your neighbourhood. But those things flow out of your life in the church.

They are not substitutes for the church.

The workplace, a charity organisation, a nursing home, a food distribution centre, or a shelter for the homeless is not God’s ordained body. Your family is not the temple of the Spirit. Your neighbourhood is not the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15). Only the church is.

This is why a lack of commitment to become a member of a specific local church is so dangerous. Just as no family on the wall could stand alone, so no Christian can stand alone apart from the church.

If you remain unattached, how will you serve Christ’s body? How will you submit to shepherds who care for your soul (Heb. 13:17)? How will you love, disciple, and be accountable to the very believers God has placed around you?

To treat the church casually, or to switch from one church to another, is to neglect the very place where God has promised to do His work. If you are not joined to a church, who are you serving? If you are isolated, how will you minister to the believers God has placed in your fellowship?

To remain uncommitted to a local church is to remain uncommitted to the great and large work of God. <>

Because the work was great and large, the Jews could not act independently. Without modern technology like mobile phones or radios, they needed a system like the trumpet mentioned in verses 18 and 20. The trumpet became their call to rally, respond to danger, and maintain unity.

In the same way, Christ has given His church the trumpet call of His Word and His appointed shepherds, to summon us together for worship, prayer, and service. Loved ones, again I want to stress this to you. If you are not a member of a local church, how will you answer the trumpet call of God’s Word and His appointed shepherds?

2 Commanded Confidence (20)

20 In what place therefore

ye hear the sound of the trumpet,

resort ye thither unto us:

our God shall fight for us.

We see in verse 19 the problem. The work was great in significance and large in scope, and because of this, the people found themselves too spread apart, vulnerable to enemy attacks and without help or guidance.

Here in verse 20, Nehemiah, with his commanding confidence and military strategy, presents the plan to resolve the problem.

Notice the phrase: “In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet.”

Nehemiah is being specificin his instruction based on the location where the trumpet sounds. He is essentially saying, “Wherever and whenever you hear the sound of the trumpet, do this.”

And what are they supposed to do when they hear the trumpet? Look at the next line: “resort ye thither unto us.” Come, rush, rally, gather, assemble quickly. There’s a sense of urgency to move toward the designated place.

Nehemiah points the people to rush “unto us.” The people are instructed that when they are called from their isolation, they are to join together as one unified bodywith other builders so they may protect each other.

Doesn’t this reflect the body of Christ as found in 1 Corinthians 12:12–27? Let’s read that passage briefly.

Paul reminds us that the church is ONE BODY with many members. NOT MANY BODY WITH MANY MEMBERS. NOT MANY BODY WITH ONE MEMBER. And the head of that body is Christ.

Each member has a vital role, and no one can function effectively alone. When one part suffers, all suffer; when one rejoices, all rejoice.

Likewise, Nehemiah calls the people to act together in unity as one, trusting God to fight for them. God’s strength is most evident when His people move and work as a unified body, protecting and supporting one another in faith and obedience.

Loved ones, please listen carefully. A genuine Christian does not desire to be outside the membership of a church. Why? Because Christians are not meant to fight spiritual battles or grow in faith in maturity alone.

Remember our series in James 5? James gave instructions for those in affliction, for those rejoicing, for the spiritually weak, and for wandering believers.

All of these require a body of believers committed to the spiritual growth and protection of its members. No one is meant to fight and grow alone.

So when Nehemiah says “rush towards us”, this is a coordinated action of many to become as one body in defense and help.

Let’s go back to Nehemiah and notice the last line of verse 20: “Our God shall fight for us.”

Here Nehemiah shifts the focus. Yes, come and rush towards us when you hear the trumpet, but put it into your mind: God is the one who brought the enemy’s counsel to nought. It is God Himself who fights for His people.

This is not about human strength but divine power and authority. The strength and wisdom of man are nothing compared to the power of the Creator. God Himself is their defender, not their spears, shields, bows or coats of mail. God Himself is their refuge, not the wall they build.

So when you refuse to be a part of a local church, you are refusing to submit to the divine power and authority of God exercised through His ordained body.

Here’s the point, loved ones: in life, no matter how threatening circumstances may be, no matter how dire our sufferings, no matter how overwhelming trials may be, God is the one who fights for you.

His sovereign hand controls every event, and He is your defender and shield.

Yet God fighting for His people does not negate man’s responsibility. The trumpet still calls for obedience and action. Faith and works are working together.

Notice the choice words: “Our God.” This is their covenantal God—the God who owns, redeems, and protects His people. God fights because of His faithfulness to His covenant.

To those who are not members of a church, hear this trumpet call:

If you isolate yourself, how will you hear the trumpet? How will you recognize the call of God? How can you respond in unity if you are outside the body?

The builder alone on the wall is vulnerable; the Christian outside the church has no covenant God who keeps, protects, and guides them. Loved ones, become a member of a church and dedicate your life to its great and large work.

If you have not repented of your sins and received Christ as your Saviour, hear this trumpet call: you have no covenant God who fights for you. You face the enemy—sin, death, and despair—alone.

Please listen carefully: the trumpet calls to salvation, but without faith and repentance, you remain exposed and defeated. Come to Christ, receive His covenant protection, and be a part of the great and large work God has entrusted to you.

3 Constant Commitment (v21-23)

21 So we laboured in the work:

and half of them held the spears

from the rising of the morning

till the stars appeared.

22 Likewise at the same time said I unto the people,

Let every one with his servant

lodge within Jerusalem,

that in the night they may be a guard to us,

and labour on the day.

23 So neither I,

nor my brethren,

nor my servants,

nor the men of the guard

which followed me,

none of us put off

our clothes, 

saving that every one put them off for washing.

In verse 19 Nehemiah presented the problem: the great and large work that spread the people far from each other. In verse 20 he gave the plan: a united and coordinated effort. Now in verses 21–23 we see that plan put into full action.

The verse begins: “So we laboured in the work.” This is the resolution to the problem. The verb labouredcarries the sense of ongoing action: to do, to make, to accomplish.

Remember when they were discouraged and only halfway finished in verse 6? Verse 21 shows us that they pressed on with the work assigned to them.

They were united in will, determination, and purpose, resting in the knowledge that it was God who had brought the counsel of their enemies to nothing.

They knew that when the trumpet sounded, they were to rally and help one another, because God Himself would fight for them.

And while they laboured, they also remained alert to enemy attack, with half of them standing guard.

But how persistent and vigilant were they? Look at the end of verse 21: “from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.” Literally, from the ascent of dawn until the going forth of the stars.

This is a merism—a figure of speech using two extremes to express the whole. It means their labour lasted from first light until nightfall.

Note that in Nehemiah’s day, normal labour ended at sunset. But here, such was their unceasing diligence and determination that they continued until the stars appeared. Their dedication was a response to God’s faithfulness. They laboured from sunrise until starlight.

Loved ones, how dedicated are we to the great and large work God has ordained in your family and in the church?

Psalm 1:2 declares:

But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Psalm 92:2 adds:

To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.

Do you remember the threat of their enemies in verse 11? “They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease.”

Because their enemies were constant in their threats, the people’s determination to work from sunrise until the stars appeared reflected their understanding that both labour and vigilance could never be relaxed.

Loved ones, there is no such thing as a part-time Christian or a part-time church member. The Christian life is lived in the midst of constant, persistent, and unpredictable spiritual battle.

We cannot relax or grow complacent toward sin, the flesh, or the devil.

Look again at that phrase: “till the stars appeared.” Are you aware of the “night” of our present time? Just as the Jews faced the darkness of opposition, so too the darkness of sin still envelops this world. Yet we, as God’s people, look forward to the dawn of Christ’s return.

Romans 13:11–12 exhorts us:

And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

The “night” in Scripture often symbolises danger, sin, and judgment. For Nehemiah’s people, the night was a time of heightened threat from their enemies.

For us, the night represents the darkness of this fallen world—the temptations of the flesh, the schemes of the devil, and the brokenness of sin that still surrounds us.

But this night will not last forever, for Scripture declares: “The night is far spent, the day is at hand.” The believer looks forward to the dawn of Christ’s return when darkness will flee before His glorious light.

Do you know what God requires of you? It is perseverance—unceasing diligence and vigilance from His people in every generation until the final rest in Christ.

Just as Israel laboured from dawn to dusk, so must the church be committed to constant devotion.

Just as there’s no such thing as a part time husband/wife or part time parents, there are no part-time Christians and no part-time members in the body of Christ.

God’s kingdom advances through those who pour themselves into His work. There is no room for idleness when the task is urgent and the enemy prowls.

If you are still uncommitted—if you have not repented of your sin and turned to Christ for salvation—hear this warning: the night will not last forever. When Christ returns in the morning light, you will find yourself outside of God’s covenant and under His judgment. I urge you: repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved from the night.

But to you who are weary in the work and feel the labour heavy, take comfort: the dawn is near. Christ will soon return.

Let’s go back to Nehemiah 4:22

22 Likewise at the same time said I unto the people,

Let every one with his servant

lodge within Jerusalem,

that in the night they may be a guard to us,

and labour on the day.

As the people continued in their labour, Nehemiah called them to a deeper level of commitment and sacrifice.

In verse 21, the responsibility was clear: each citizen was to labour in the work, no matter how great, no matter how far apart they were stationed, and no matter how much diligence and vigilance it required. This was their God-given task, and they could not stand by idly.

But verse 22 adds another layer of responsibility, one that required real sacrifice.Nehemiah commanded them to lodge within Jerusalem with their servants. This was not a suggestion but a necessary directive, born out of wisdom and urgency.

Staying overnight meant giving up the comforts of their homes, for many lived outside the city and had to travel long distances to work on the wall.

It meant sacrificing rest and ease, family life, normal routines, and even their livelihoods. Fields, vineyards, flocks, and businesses outside the city were temporarily neglected. Personal convenience was set aside to serve as guards by night and labourers by day.

In short, Nehemiah called them to set aside comfort, family, livelihood, and ease for the sake of God’s work and the protection of His people.

By lodging in Jerusalem, they identified themselves with the city of God, the place where His name dwelt, and publicly testified that their lives were bound up with God’s purposes, not their own self-interest.

Loved ones, the same is true for us. To belong to Christ is to identify with His people, the church, and to devote ourselves to His cause. It requires sacrifice—of comfort, convenience, and sometimes family or career opportunities—for the sake of God’s kingdom.

By leaving behind what is outside the walls, we devote ourselves to being a blessing within God’s city.

Jesus Himself said:

“No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).

To follow Christ faithfully, we must labour with diligence, leave the world behind, and devote ourselves fully to His kingdom. Just as Nehemiah’s people left their homes to lodge in Jerusalem, we too are called to lay down our lives, take up our cross daily, and follow Him.

But notice, Nehemiah didn’t only require the nobles, the rulers, and the rest of the people to heed his commands. He himself made a commitment and sacrifice.

Look at verse 23: So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard which followed me, none of us put off our clothes, saving that every one put them off for washing.

We can see two resolutions to one problem.

First, in verse 21, the verse begins with “so” when the people continued to labour in the work from dawn to dusk.

The second is here in verse 23. Notice it also begins with the word “so.”

Nehemiah is displaying his faith in action as he becomes an example of commitment and sacrifice.

What was Nehemiah’s commitment and sacrifice?

Those repeated negatives answer the question: neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard, none of us put off our clothes.

This shows unbroken participation in work and vigilance; everyone was included. Nehemiah grouped himself with his brethren, his servants, and his guard. He didn’t exclude himself from the burden.

He models a servant’s heart. He leads by example. He leads by serving. And he leads by participating in the same commitment and sacrifice required of all.

But what did this commitment look like? The phrase is clear: “none of us put off our clothes.” What does that mean?

It doesn’t mean they literally wore the same clothes indefinitely, 24/7. The last phrase says, “saving that everyone put them off for washing.” They did remove their clothing when necessary.

So this is not teaching the abandonment of hygiene or cleanliness for God’s glory.

In fact, in church history, some monks thought holiness meant never washing, never changing clothes, and living in filth. But that wasn’t biblical holiness—it was human superstition. Nehemiah wasn’t teaching that kind of asceticism. He was teaching discipline, readiness, and shared sacrifice.

Imagine a soldier in the army who decides that to prove his loyalty, he will never take off his uniform—not even to wash it. At first it might look impressive, but soon the smell, the filth, and the lack of care would make him ineffective. His commander doesn’t want him filthy; his commander wants him ready—clean, disciplined, and alert. That’s the idea here. Nehemiah’s men weren’t neglecting themselves—they were disciplining themselves for constant readiness.

So it doesn’t mean holiness equals neglect of the body, or that spirituality equals being filthy and dirty. It’s not prescribing a permanent lifestyle command that Christians today must never change clothes or rest normally. And it certainly doesn’t mean neglecting order or holiness.

He is prioritising readiness in battle and building. They kept their garments and weapons close, never relaxing into vulnerability. They sacrificed personal comfort for the sake of God’s work. They bore inconvenience, sweat, and discomfort as the cost of vigilance. And no one exempted themselves—leaders and servants alike shared the same burden.

Loved ones, do you have the same determination in the work or ministry God has given you? Are you committed and willing to sacrifice inconvenience, discomfort, time, energy, or money, so that the church would be edified, fellow believers encouraged, and God’s kingdom expanded?

But we must go deeper. Nehemiah’s servant-leadership ultimately points us to Christ. For our Lord Jesus never laid aside His commitment to the Father’s will. He endured far greater sacrifice—suffering, shame, and even death upon a cross—for the sake of His people. And now He calls us, clothed in His righteousness, to “stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth” (Ephesians 6:14).

So let us follow Nehemiah’s example, and more so Christ’s, in constant readiness and unwavering devotion.

The work is great and large, but our God is greater still, and He equips His people to persevere.

And now, loved ones, I ask you: will you embrace this call to commitment and sacrifice? Will you set aside comfort and convenience for the sake of Christ’s kingdom? Will you live not as part-time Christians, but as full-time servants of the Lord, ready and clothed in His righteousness, vigilant against sin, and devoted to His work until the day He returns?

And yet, this passage leaves us with a question that pulls us forward: (a suspense)

Nehemiah and his people were armed and ready for battle at all times—but how do we, the church, arm ourselves for the spiritual battle today? That is where God’s Word will take us next time.

Conclusion Application

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We give You glory, honour, and all blessing. You alone are worthy of our life and our death. We praise You for our ever-living and divine Intercessor, who frustrates the counsel of sin and death.

Thank You, Father, for Your covenant love—that You fight for us, and that You will never leave nor forsake us. What a sure and steady truth, that we can rest our faith upon You, our faithful and true God.

We pray that You would stir our hearts against the sins of apathy, laziness, complacency, and compromise. Convict us, O Lord, when we ignore our responsibilities, when we turn from commitment, or when we shrink back in fear of suffering.

Father, if You are able to intercede and fight for us, then give us the faith to gladly devote our whole life, strength, and heart to Your great and large work—ready to endure hardship for the sake of Christ.

We thank You for our Saviour, who perfectly committed Himself to Your will, and who suffered, bled, and died on our behalf, so that we, His people, would be saved from the penalty of sin.

As we look toward the week ahead, prepare our hearts and minds. Give us courage and determination to heed the trumpet call of Your Word, to stand firm, and to serve faithfully.

We give You all our worship—for You alone deserve all honour and glory.

We pray this in the mighty name of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Amen.