To Build and to War

Tuesday, July 23rd, 2024

There are times in our walk with God where we just need to be still and wait for the Lord. Then there are other times where God asks us work and fight to preserve the path He has called us to follow. This is the story of Nehemiah. God placed in Nehemiah the burden to repair the wall of Jerusalem. And it didn’t happen by sitting and waiting. Many ridiculed him and those that joined him in the building, and some even determined to fight against them to hinder their work.

Nehemiah 4:16-17 says this:

16 So it was, from that time on, that half of my servants worked at construction, while the other half held the spears, the shields, the bows, and wore armor; and the leaders were behind all the house of Judah. 17 Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon.

When their enemies first rose up against them, Nehemiah sought the Lord and received confirmation that they were to continue their work. He encouraged the souls of his workers and reminded them that the Lord who assigned them to this task is greater and will prevail. So they went back to work. Verse 16 says half of them worked and half of them were drafted into the army to defend and attack anyone who tried to stop their progress. Verse 17 says those that were building had one hand on a working tool and one hand on a weapon. Imagine that. There are not many tools that are easy to use with one hand. But they were so committed to their work and so trusting of God’s calling that they were ready to build and defend all at the same time.

I think many of us often find ourselves in these types of situations. We believe we are on the path God has called us to, but the resistance from the enemy sometimes makes us question what we heard from the Lord or if we are supposed to change course. It’s a good thing to check in with God, but once we get the green light again, it’s time to armor up and battle our way forward. It’s not because God is punishing us or has forgotten about us. He is either using the situation to strengthen our faith or He wants to show us His great power in the midst of our challenges.

Final Thoughts…

In our current state of affairs, the time to sit back and see what happens has quickly evaporated. It’s time for us to press on as the bride of Christ no matter who tries to stop or silence us. God has put all of us on this earth at this time for a specific purpose. There are clearly a few walls that need to be built back up and a multitude of people that need saving. God has been asking all of us how much we trust Him. If our faith falters in challenging times, how will we be able to direct others to God’s saving power? Where are the Nehemiah’s? Where are those who are ready to step out with a tool in one hand and a shield in the other?