Art Toombs Ministries 

Online Bible Commentary

                                     America is Not Safe without God 

Nehemiah 4:15 When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to his own work. 16 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!" (NIV)

 

Nehemiah was the Governor of Judah after the Jewish people returned from exile in Babylon. The first thing he did was to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem that were destroyed when they were attacked and carried off into captivity. The walls were the primary military defense for the city. Without walls they were open to raids from their enemies. These enemies had already attempted to halt the building of the walls, but God had frustrated their plot (v.15). 

After learning of the plot against them, Nehemiah ordered half of the men to guard the workers and the wall while the other half did the work (v.16). Even those workers who carried materials were ordered to carry a weapon in their free hand (v.17). The builders themselves also wore swords for protection (v.18a). As an added protection Nehemiah assigned one man with a trumpet to accompany him as he traveled around supervising the building. This man was to sound the trumpet in the event of an attack so that the others would know where to go to defend against the attack (vv.18b-20a). Above all, Nehemiah was able to assure the people that God would fight for them (v.20b). 

Nehemiah had assembled a vast military network to protect the city of Jerusalem from its’ enemies. Everyone was on high alert. Nehemiah had taken every precaution to stave off the enemy, but he knew that the ultimate protection came from God. Therefore, he was careful to remain on good terms with God. He personally worshiped and obeyed God. He also used his position as governor to exhort the people to do the same. He knew that God had already foiled one attack and that God was on their side. He was confident, and proclaimed with conviction “Our God will fight for us!" 

In the long history of the United States of America there have been many enemies, many wars. For the most part we have maintained a strong military force with the very best weaponry. Our brave fighting men and women have served us well. Many of our young, our best, have lost their lives or been injured in battle. Our freedom has come at a very high price. We know better than anyone that freedom is not free. 

Also in our long history of battle we have always had God on our side. This country was founded by those seeking religious freedom, specifically the freedom to worship the God of the Bible. From our very roots we have been a Christian nation. We have been obedient to God. Our very system of law is derived from the Bible, with much of it coming from the Ten Commandments. The Bible was the first textbook in this country. We have aligned ourselves with God just as Nehemiah did, and God has protected us, just as He protected Nehemiah and his men.  The United States has flourished and, more importantly, survived because of its allegiance to the God of the Bible. 

Today, we have a new generation of leadership in our country. This new generation has forgotten God. They have no respect for the God of the Bible, and no allegiance to Him. They are charting a new course, a course that worships social causes and not God. They are swayed by Hollywood and humanists, those who believe that God does not exercise His authority in the world. They are leading us down the road to destruction. They no longer have allegiance to God, and, because of that, He no longer has allegiance to us. We are on our own. No matter how strong the military, a nation is not safe without God. Nehemiah knew that. Our current leaders do not.