Stay on the Wall: A Call to Unwavering Faith in Turbulent Times

 In the heart of ancient Jerusalem, amid the dust and determination of a people rebuilding what was lost, a profound drama unfolds. It's a story not just of bricks and mortar, but of resolve, deception, and divine purpose. Nehemiah 6:1-4 isn't merely a historical footnote—it's a battle cry for today's Conservative Christians navigating a culture that lures us from our posts with promises of peace and progress. If you're weary from the cultural wars, from defending biblical marriage, the sanctity of life, or the authority of Scripture in a relativistic age, this is for you. Pull up a chair, open your Bible, and let's explore why we must **stay on the wall**.

The Siege of Subtlety: Recognizing the Enemy's Ploys

Imagine the scene: Jerusalem's protective walls, once symbols of God's covenant with His people, reduced to rubble after years of exile and disobedience. Enter Nehemiah, a humble cupbearer in the Persian court, whose heart breaks for his homeland. With the king's blessing and the Lord's empowerment, he rallies the remnant. Families hoist stones, priests wield trowels alongside swords, and in record time—52 grueling days—the wall stands tall. No gaps. No vulnerabilities. The city is secure, the temple protected, and God's people poised for restoration.

But victory breeds vigilance. As soon as the work nears completion, the adversaries strike—not with armies, but with invitations. Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, a trio of regional power brokers representing Samaritan, Ammonite, and Arab interests, send a seemingly innocuous message: *"Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono."* Ono? A picturesque plain, far from the construction site. Neutral ground. A chance for dialogue.

Sounds reasonable, right? In our modern parlance, it's the equivalent of a "unity summit" or an "interfaith panel." Who could argue with conversation? Yet Nehemiah discerns the trap: *"They were scheming to harm me."* This wasn't diplomacy; it was distraction. A descent from the high ground of holy labor to the lowlands of compromise, where reputations are assassinated and resolves are eroded.

Friends, the plain of Ono beckons us today too. It's the viral tweet accusing us of "hate" for upholding God's design for gender and sexuality. It's the workplace seminar on "inclusivity" that demands we affirm what Scripture calls sin. It's the family gathering where relativism reigns, and speaking truth feels like casting pearls before swine. The enemy doesn't charge with swords; he extends a hand, whispering, "Just come down for a chat. We can find common ground." But common ground often means sacred ground surrendered.

The Great Project: Why We Cannot Afford to Descend

Nehemiah's response is a masterclass in spiritual discernment and disciplined focus: *"I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?"* Four times the invitation comes—persistent, polished, personal. Four times, the refusal echoes like a trumpet blast. No negotiation. No "maybe later." Just unwavering commitment.

What made this project so "great"? It wasn't Nehemiah's invention; it was God's mandate. The wall wasn't about personal glory but communal flourishing—securing the city for worship, family, and witness. Every stone laid was an act of obedience, a rebuke to the chaos of idolatry and exile. It restored boundaries, enabling the people to rebuild not just structures, but souls.

As Conservative Christians, our "great project" mirrors this divine blueprint. We're tasked with erecting walls of conviction in a society hell-bent on deconstruction. Consider:

- **The Family Wall**: Guarding the Genesis 2:24 union of one man and one woman against the tidal wave of no-fault divorce, cohabitation, and redefinition. In an era where 40% of children grow up without both biological parents, our homes must model covenant love.

  

- **The Church Wall**: Proclaiming the full Gospel—unapologetically—from pulpits that won't bow to cultural captivity. No more sermons that sidestep hell, holiness, or the exclusivity of Christ (John 14:6).

- **The Cultural Wall**: Advocating for policies that protect the unborn (over 60 million lost since Roe), religious freedoms in the public square, and education that honors truth over indoctrination.

To step down is to halt the work. History is littered with examples: denominations that "dialogued" their way into affirming heresy; leaders who traded biblical fidelity for applause. Nehemiah teaches us: Delegate the messengers if you must, but never abandon your post. In Ephesians 6:10-18, Paul arms us for this very fight—not against people, but powers. Our sword? The Word. Our shield? Faith. Coming down exposes us; staying up advances the Kingdom.

Endurance in the Face of Repetition: Four Denials and Counting

The enemy's tenacity is chilling. Four invitations, each a refined iteration of the last. Sound familiar? Today's assaults come in waves: one day a Supreme Court ruling erodes parental rights; the next, a celebrity's "coming out" story floods feeds; then a school board vote on drag queen story hours. Each pulls at our resolve, testing if we'll tire, rationalize, or relent.

Yet Nehemiah's "no" evolves into a mantra. Why the endurance? Rooted in prayer and providence. Earlier, amid threats, he prayed (Nehemiah 4:4-5). Here, his stance is prayer-forged steel. He knows the Lord who called him won't abandon the work (Philippians 1:6).

For us, endurance means practical faithfulness:

- **Daily Discipline**: Start with Scripture, not screens. Let Psalm 1 root you like a tree by streams.

- **Community Accountability**: Rally with like-minded believers—Bible studies, pro-life marches, voter drives. Iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17).

- **Strategic Delegation**: Say no to every distraction. Mentor youth instead of doom-scrolling. Volunteer at crisis pregnancy centers over endless debates.

Staying hurts sometimes. Loneliness creeps in; labels like "extremist" sting. But remember: The wall *was* finished. Enemies marveled, fearing the God behind it (Nehemiah 6:16). Our labor, too, echoes into eternity.

Climbing Back Up: A Personal Challenge

Beloved reader, where has the Ono plain tempted you lately? A compromised friendship? A silent vote? A diluted doctrine? Today, recommit. Identify your wall—perhaps discipling a prodigal, leading a small group, or running for school board. Climb. Build. Pray: "Lord, remind me this is Your great project, not mine."

In these "last days" (2 Timothy 3:1), when scoffers multiply and truth is maligned, Nehemiah's legacy endures. Stay on the wall, and watch God swing open gates of revival. Families healed. Churches ablaze. A nation, by grace, returning to its moorings.

What wall are you building this week? Share in the comments—let's encourage one another. And if this stirred your spirit, subscribe for more biblically grounded reflections.

*Heavenly Father, fortify us as You did Nehemiah. Eyes on the work, hearts in Your hand. In Jesus' name, Amen.*

DMMC

2-7-26