Nehemiah 4:12–14

The enemy threatens; God's people stand firm

Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.” 13 Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. 14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”

Nehemiah posted the people at their battle stations, ready to repel the expected attack. He aroused their courage by calling their attention to two reasons for boldness in battle. First and most important, they had the great and awesome God on their side, so they had nothing to fear. In addition, the lives of their families were at stake, so they should fight with all their strength. Thus prepared, the people stood firm and awaited the attack. 

But the enemies’ mouths were bigger than their hearts. Their game was talking big and attacking defenseless cities, not throwing themselves against armed troops occupying fortified positions.

Nehemiah’s prayer was answered. The attack never came because the enemies’ courage failed them. The work could resume.