All right, let's jump in verse 1, Nehemiah chapter 7.

Then it was, when the wall was built and I had hung the doors,

when the gatekeepers, the singers and the Levites had been appointed

that I gave the charge of Jerusalem to my brother Hanani and Hananaya, the leader of the citadel.

For he was a faithful man and feared God more than many, which is kind of interesting.

In other words, not just God fearing, but there was a significant

difference in how he feared God as compared to others. And verse three, I said to them, do not let the

gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot and while they stand guard let them shut and bar

the doors and appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem one at his watch station

and another in front of his own house the idea here being that a man's going to guard his own house,

his own family with his life, and rightfully so, considering that they're still vulnerable.

And this really speaks to Nehemiah's leadership.

This is a great leader.

This is a strong leader.

This is a wise leader in a Nehemiah.

And we see his leadership gifting being demonstrated in how diligent and even vigilant he is still concerning the attack of the enemy and he's as diligent

after the victory as he was prior to the victory. And this is an important point here. And

this is what I really want to talk about for just a moment if you'll indulge me.

It's really important to understand that the enemy is relentless.

The enemy will never give up.

Never imagine for a moment that when we do have those victories, we do resist the devil and he does flee, he's coming back.

When he tempted Jesus, we're told that after Jesus had, you know, quoted scripture, actually out of Deuteronomy,

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