Mind and Might

"So built we the wall... for the people had a mind to work... We made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch... everyone with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon" (Nehemiah 4:6,9,17).  "Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.  Turn not to the right hand nor to the left" (Proverbs 4:26,27). 

The work was great and arduous  

In troublous times to be fulfilled,

Yet Nehemiah, just like us,

Was called by God rise and build.

And so it was they built the wall,

For all the people had a mind

To work, obedient to the call,

In every place they were assigned. 

Though enemies were surely there

Who tried to halt its furtherance,  

The people went to God in prayer

And set their watch with vigilance. 

The workers labored with one hand

And held a weapon in the other. 

The Lord gave them the strength to stand

As they supported one another. 

O may we emulate such things

To work today with mind and might

That we may serve the King of kings

And turn not to the left or right.   

Lord, these are troublous times as well

In which Your church is now enlarged. 

By Your command the gates of hell

Shall not prevail, as You charged. 

We have from You, Lord, our commission

To build Your church for which You died,

So may we serve with clearer vision

With all our mind and might applied.