Fully Armed

 Isn't it AWESOME how Scripture comes alive with relevance today?  The fact that a book like Nehemiah, for example, set in the 5th Century Before Christ...which I'm not even sure how long ago that was... is so full of lessons for our current circumstances, is mind-blowing to me.  There is no doubt this IS the Word of God.

At Sunday School yesterday, we were going through chapter 4 of this great story of Nehemiah and his quest to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, when a verse just jumped at me with great force.  It was verse 18.  I went back and read a few verses before, and the whole context just brought the whole thing together.  It was when Nehemiah and the people of Judah were facing some of the many obstacles they faced while conducting their mission to rebuild the wall...not only were people getting tired and frustrated while clearing the mountains of rubble, but they were receiving word of imminent attacks by those who felt threatened by the idea of a reinforced Jerusalem.  

Nehemiah acted swiftly.  He posted guards on the weaker spots, armed with swords, spears and bows to protect the families.  He called the assembly of the nobles, officials and people in general to give them an exhortation and remind them of God's faithfulness and love for His people, and how He would never abandon them; therefore, there was no need to be afraid.  And then, he proceeded to organize everyone so, in trusting obedience, and on full alert, they would continue to do their work.  And here's the passage that struck me: 

16 From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah 17 who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, 18 and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me. Nehemiah 4: 16-18

The work was not abandoned.  Nobody cowered in fear.  On the contrary, the work continued with renewed efforts and energy.  This is a magnificent instance of how we must put on the Full Armor of God, to speak in New Testament terms, and remain in confident vigilance, fully on guard at all times.  I mean, look at what it says, not only were officers posted behind the people as a layer of protection while they continued their work, but the people themselves were armed!  Those carrying materials "did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other," and the builders kept their swords at their side as they worked!  I mean, this is an outstanding illustration of the way to be in the world in the present age:  fully armed at all times, while doing God's work uninterruptedly.

In this day of trouble, when society is seeing a collapse that will take its people to a new low...when people have forgotten, ignored, denied, deliberately walked away from God, when our enemy remains in a constant siege to defeat us, scheming and saying that “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.” (Nehemiah 4: 11) we need to look at this moment in the history of God's people, when they took their fear and turned it into courage, stood behind each other, covering each other's backs, and stayed on guard and armed, but never abandoning the work of His Kingdom that had been entrusted to them.  

That is our call for today:

1.  To know that He is God.  Remember His Faithfulness. Remember His Love.  Remember He is with us, always.  Trust in Him and in His deliverance for His people of whom you are a member.  Pray without ceasing and remember His promises and mercies, which are new every day. (1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18, Lamentations 3: 22-23)

2.  To be on guard and armed.  Keep the sword in hand at all times.  And what's our sword?  Our sword is the WORD. (Ephesians 6: 17)  Never stop reading Scripture.  Memorize it.  Engrave it in your heart and mind.  That is the weapon against the enemy that wants to destroy us and put an end to the work of God.

3.  To guard each-other's backs.  Not only protect yourself, but protect those around you.  Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4: 12

4.  To choose godly leaders.  Support leaders who are guided by the Holy Spirit so you can trust their decisions and feel confident about following them.  Like Nehemiah, leaders who put God first, and who will be the first ones to sound the alarm at the first sign of harm, for they keep the trumpet with them at all times.

May Our Great God protect us and inspire us to seek Him First and to renew our strength to do His work on this earth, fully clad on His Armor, for the battle is not of this world, which requires us to fight with the weapons of the Spirit.  In Christ's Precious Name.  Amen!