~ There are tense seasons in life where we just have to be ready with whatever crisis is making the rounds. I think of the pandemic. I think of AI now.

“From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah ¹⁷ who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, ¹⁸ and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me.

¹⁹ Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. ²⁰ Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!”

²¹ So we continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out. ²² At that time I also said to the people, “Have every man and his helper stay inside Jerusalem at night, so they can serve us as guards by night and as workers by day.” ²³ Neither I nor my brothers nor my men nor the guards with me took off our clothes; each had his weapon, even when he went for water.“
~ Nehemiah 4:16-23

Notes:

(1) Readiness: There are seasons where we sleep with our sword next to our beds. We shower with our swords in hand. We eat our breakfasts, lunches and dinner with a sword on the table. Etc.

~ We just have to be in a constant state of readiness for what may happen. The folks above under Nehemiah’s leadership were constantly vigilant and ready. That is why they finished their work in record time – 52 days. Readiness began with Nehemiah. He was ready so others were ready.

And he was ready because he was in tune with God.

(2) Felt Presence: I cannot help but notice that Nehemiah, as leader, was very present with the people. He was not hidden away somewhere, and delegating orders and such via some underling.

~ God is transcendent, yet immanent. He is with His people.

(3) Empathy: “Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, ‘The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall.’”

~ Nehemiah understood the work also. He was not oblivious to what they were facing.

~ Ultimately, Nehemiah was who he was because He was connected to God.