Nehemiah 4:15-17

[15] When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work. [16] From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, [17] who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other.

Nehemiah and the Israelites are rebuilding the wall, and God has frustrated the plans of their opposition.  I love that wording – God had frustrated their plans.  Notice that it wasn’t Nehemiah, or the people, that frustrated the plans of their enemies, it was God.

If you let God deal with your enemies, it seems to go better than if you try.

Now they start back into the work, but this time are preparing for a fight.  Those who are working literally have a sword in one hand and are using the other to work.  Notice that they still had guards protecting the walls, yet even the workers carried a sword while they worked.  Workers or Protecters, they were all ready for a fight.

I think that sometimes we go into life unprepared for a fight.  We don’t carry around our sword (the Bible), ready.  We don’t have scriptures memorized to fight temptation.  We don’t have enough knowledge to answer those who question why we have the hope that we have.

We’re defenseless.

Be prepared is not just the motto of the Boy Scout, it should be the motto of every believer.

What can you do to be more prepared today?

What can you to do to carry your sword while you work?

in Christ,

Isaiah