Nehemiah knew the more significant the population of Jerusalem, the greater the resources for defence and strength in battle. He didn’t rebuild the walls to see some conquering army come and break them down again! There was a cost to live in Jerusalem! To live in Jerusalem, you had to live knowing you were a target for the enemy, and you had to make many sacrifices! There is also a cost to following Jesus! The cost involved to follow Jesus is carrying the cross of self-denial. It’s the self-denial, abstinence and reproach, for Christ’s sake.