Nehemiah 4:10 NLT

Then the people of Judah began to complain, “The workers are getting tired, and there is so much rubble to be moved. We will never be able to build the wall by ourselves.”

I. Loss of Strength

Nehemiah 4:10 NLT

Then the people of Judah began to complain, “The workers are getting tired, and there is so much rubble to be moved. We will never be able to build the wall by ourselves.”

Nehemiah 4:6 NLT

At last the wall was completed to half its height around the entire city, for the people had worked with enthusiasm.

“The midpoint of a long, demanding project is prime time for discouragement. The disillusionment phase occurs after the momentum of a great start peters out and long before the anticipation of the finish line can inspire hope. It’s the time when the resilient must put their heads down and keep their feet moving and when the weary need an infusion of encouragement.”

- Charles Swindoll

II. Loss of Vision

Nehemiah 4:10 NLT

Then the people of Judah began to complain, “The workers are getting tired, and there is so much rubble to be moved. We will never be able to build the wall by ourselves.”

Nehemiah 4:2 NLT

"Do they actually think they can make something of stones from a rubbish heap—and charred ones at that?”

III. Loss of Confidence

Nehemiah 4:10 NLT

Then the people of Judah began to complain, “The workers are getting tired, and there is so much rubble to be moved. We will never be able to build the wall by ourselves.”

IV. Loss of Security

Nehemiah 4:11-12 NLT

11 Meanwhile, our enemies were saying, “Before they know what’s happening, we will swoop down on them and kill them and end their work.”

12 The Jews who lived near the enemy came and told us again and again, “They will come from all directions and attack us!”

I. UNIFY YOUR EFFORTS TOWARD A GOAL

Nehemiah 4:13 NLT

So I placed armed guards behind the lowest parts of the wall in the exposed areas. I stationed the people to stand guard by families, armed with swords, spears, and bows.

II. DIRECT YOUR ATTENTION TO THE LORD

Nehemiah 4:14 NLT

Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!”

Isaiah 40:28

Have you not known? Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He does not faint or grow weary;

1 Chronicles 29:11-13

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. 13 And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.

1 Corinthians 8:6

There is one God, the Father,

by whom all things were created,

and for whom we live.

And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ,

through whom all things were created,

and through whom we live.

III. MAINTAIN A BALANCE BETWEEN FAITH AND ACTION

Nehemiah 4:14-17 NLT

14 Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious [FAITH], and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!” [ACTION] 15 When our enemies heard that we knew of their plans and that God had frustrated them, we all returned to our work on the wall. [FAITH] 16 But from then on, only half my men worked while the other half stood guard with spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. The leaders stationed themselves behind the people of Judah 17 who were building the wall. [ACTION] The laborers carried on their work with one hand supporting their load [FAITH] and one hand holding a weapon. [ACTION]

IV. DETERMINE A RALLYING POINT

Nehemiah 4:18-19 NLT

18 All the builders had a sword belted to their side. The trumpeter stayed with me to sound the alarm.

19 Then I explained to the nobles and officials and all the people, “The work is very spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. 20 When you hear the blast of the trumpet, rush to wherever it is sounding. Then our God will fight for us!”

V. DEVELOP A SERVE ONE ANOTHER MENTALITY

Nehemiah 4:21-23 NLT

We worked early and late, from sunrise to sunset. And half the men were always on guard. 22 I also told everyone living outside the walls to stay in Jerusalem. That way they and their servants could help with guard duty at night and work during the day. 23 During this time, none of us—not I, nor my relatives, nor my servants, nor the guards who were with me—ever took off our clothes. We carried our weapons with us at all times, even when we went for water.

John 16:33

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”