The times-news., 1935-12-07
WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
NEHEMIAH REBUILDING THE
WALL OF JERUSALEM

that he would fail in his mission,
though backed by the authority
of the king and the power of Per-
sia. With sneering, conspiring
foes around about, and with weak
ened, discouraged people in his
ranks, there was room for real
leadership and demand for con-
structive craftsmanship. Nehemiah
was the man of the hour and he
rose. magnificiently to the occa-
sion. He encouraged his followers;
he armed them; he organized
them; he planned for them; he
ASSIGNED them work; he inflamed
their patriotism; he provided for
their safety: he inspired them on
ward to the best they could do.
And he himself stood at the fore
front, gifted, tireless, energetic,
trusted, effective. (2l Progress
accompanied safetv $50 we la
bored in the work" The able
bodied men stood at their tasks.
every builder having his sword
girded by his side ready to be
summoned at any moment to the
point of attack, ready to lay down
the trowel and take up the sword
at moments warning. There
were also those who held spears
''from the. rising of the morning
till the stars appeared" The SER
wants lodged within the city. as
guards by night and laborers dur
ing the day. So the work advanc-
ed. Not one of the workers from
Nehemiah to the menial stopped
his task even long enough to
change clothes. Of course, the
Knockers and conspirators in the
presence of such zeal, activity and
military preparation would not
dare make the proposed attack.
The fear within the walls also
vanished like mists before the
morning sun. Nehemiah was mas
ter of the situation. The work
went forward, the walls were re-
built, and the Holy City once
more stood forth in its strength
BUILD FOR GOD AND
COUNTRY
~ Definite Building. $50 built
we, the wall" There was work
for Nehemiah, the mobiles, the rul-
ers, and the returned captives to
do. There is work for us.
(2) Diligent Building. Had a
mind to work" Half-hearted serv-
ice is ineffective. No man ever
wrought much who brought to his
task a weak and flabby will. an
indistinct and indefinite purpose.
(3) Prayerful Building. eve
made our prayer" 1t was a dark
hour for Nehemiah at Jerusalem
as it had bee nat Susa, but ne !
lifted his heart in prayer and OPP
position vanished. :
(4) Vigilant Building. "Set
watch against them" 1t is we'll to |
pray, but we must not sleep upon
our knees. Our eyes must be
open. ,,,, ~.
(5) Protective Building. "The
spears, the shields. and the bows, ,"
There is opposition to each of US
an dagainst it we must arm our
selves. Thus sometimes we may /
put a foe to flight as Nehemiah 1
did without striking a blow.
CO Confident Building. Gre |
member the Lord, Nehemiah |
the fears of his associates.
He inspired them with confidence;
He bade them look to the God OF
Israel for help. "A,
-(7) Courageous Building. Eight
for your brethren" The foe is
not driven away by the show of
arms; there must often be the
clash of arms, as WELL. There is
fighting to be done today. Eight
the good fight of faith"
(Sl Unhindered Building. "It
was Alown unto u.s." The Jews
we're so we'll prepared for defense
that the assailants withdrew their
forces. Preparation for the onset
obviated the necessity of fighting
at all.
,(9). Co-operant Building. "Half
of nv servants wrought in the
work, and the other half of them.
held the spears" Defenders and
builders wrought together. Each
had his part in the program.
v(18) Effectual Building. Every
one unto his work" Are not the
walls of Zion down in many places
today? Do not the foes of the
church sometimes sneer and mock
and conspire and hate? Let us
huild faithfullYi ~