One Hand for the Work, One Hand for the Weapon

The wall of Jerusalem was rising stone by stone. But two men with evil hearts — Sanballat and Tobiah — kept laughing nearby. "What can such little stones build? Even a small fox could push it over." Worse still, they secretly plotted to come and attack. When the builders heard these words, their hearts grew afraid. Some put down their tools. Others even hid behind big stones. Then Nehemiah walked among them with a warm smile. He encouraged everyone, "Do not be afraid! Remember that our God is great and awesome — He will fight for us." Then he made a brave and wise plan: he divided the workers into two groups. One group held swords, shields, and bows to keep watch. The other group kept on building. Those who carried materials did even more — "one hand for the work, one hand for the weapon." One hand never let go of the stones; the other hand always held the weapon firmly. From first light until the stars appeared, they did not stop. At night, men took turns to keep watch, alertly patrolling under the moonlight. The builders did not even take off their clothes; their swords lay beside them, ready at any moment. Day after day, the wall rose higher and stronger, and the enemies' threats turned into faint, distant echoes. At last the wall rose another section, and the workers clapped one another's hands and laughed — by God's courage and perseverance, they had overcome their fear. This story tells us: while we do God's work, we will meet mocking and threats, and we may wonder, "Can I keep going?" But as long as you "lift up the weapon" against fear and at the same time "never put down the stone," God will walk with you all the way, and turn hard work into blossom and fruit.