Nehemiah 4:9 Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them. This union is equally pleasing and profitable. It keeps our devotion from growing up into rank enthusiasm, and our diligence from sinking into the wisdom of the world which is foolishness with God. The life of the Christian is held forth as that of a warfare. What, then, can be more reasonable than to betake ourselves to prayer and vigilance? I. LET US MAKE OUR PRAYER TO GOD. 1. It is recommended by God Himself — "Call upon Me in the day of trouble," etc. 2. The very exercise of prayer is useful. 3. Prayer is the forming of a confederacy with God. II. SET A WATCH, BECAUSE OF OUR ENEMIES, NIGHT AND DAY. 1. Impress your minds with a sense of your danger. 2. Study your constitutional weakness and failings. 3. Observe how you have already been foiled or ensnared. 4. Guard against the beginnings of sin. 5. Avoid the occasions of sin.Nothing is more dangerous than idleness. Our idle days, says Henry, are the devil's busy ones. Stagnant waters breed thousands of noxious insects; but this is not the case with living water. (William Jay.) Parallel Verses KJV: Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.WEB: But we made our prayer to our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them. |
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