UPFRONT November 13, 2006 Issue

Our first line of defense—365/24/7

MAIKE BYRD, CHILDREN'S EDITOR

The city was in shambles, its buildings and walls torn down, its population unable to protect themselves against outside attackers. This is not a story from a recent TV news broadcast, but from a 2,000-year-old Bible account of a man called Nehemiah who decided to do what he could to help (see Neh., chaps. 1-7).

It all began with a vision that God had "put into [Nehemiah's] heart"—to rebuild the walls of his hometown, Jerusalem. In the months to come, he would have to defend the realization of this vision physically, mentally, and spiritually.

The task, of course, was daunting. And before Nehemiah could even get started, he had to battle discouragement. Then, putting his whole energy into the rebuilding efforts, he and the townspeople had to fight off enemy attacks. But Nehemiah did not only defend himself with sword and spear, he was prudent and vigilant to resist his enemies' trickery. Nothing could stop Nehemiah from moving forward, because, supported by his prayers and communication with God, he was able to put up effective defenses to protect his work.

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