Nehemiah's Wall

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. 18 Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built....

- Nehemiah 4:17-18

The story behind this passage takes place after the Babylonian exile of the Israelites, when King Artaxerxes ruled the empire and a small remnant of Israelites had returned to the devastated and destroyed city of Jerusalem some time earlier. Along with the priest Ezra, Nehemiah helped to organize those who were there in the rebuilding of the city wall (defense) as well as their residences. 

We know that the Jews there in Jerusalem encountered opposition from the get-go as well as had to deal with their own "issues". Some people will focus on these issues, as an illustration that when we come out of Babylon (spiritually), that we have to leave Babylon truly behind (no long conforming to the patterns of this world). However, I'd like to look at something else here. I want you to go back and read those two verses again up above.

The remnant Jews worked hard at the rebuilding of Jerusalem after their exile to Babylon. Then when opposition came, they saw that they needed to be ready and prepared for that opposition to carry through with their threats. Were the threats empty? Were they bluffs? Nehemiah didn't think so and they were working so hard to rebuild what rightfully belonged to them. 

As they worked, and several passages in Nehemiah even mention women working to rebuild - helping their fathers and brothers in the rebuilding of the wall, they were prepared for battle. It says that with one hand they constructed and with the other they held a weapon. Every single one of them were armed as they worked. 

I can't help but see how this applies spiritually to us today. What are we building? In one way, we are rebuilding our life in Christ. Our life was torn apart by sin - utterly destroyed, and our "walls" torn down and breached by the enemy. Yet Jesus came in and is restoring us - in the process of completing that good work that was begun in us until the day we are sanctified in Him when He returns again. In another way, we are rebuilding the ruins of the Church. Many of us, though we are few, have come out of spiritual Babylon and have left apostate churches, doctrinal errors, and the denominational traditions of man. Whether we have found a more Biblical fellowship at another church (traditional) or have started/joined a house church (The Book of Acts modeled) ... We are working to rebuild our wall of fellowship as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Regardless of which way you look at it, the principle can be applied all the same. Just as the Jews were armed with one hand and working with the other so should we be, both as followers of Christ and as The Church. No, this doesn't mean we go and buy guns. That is absolutely not what I am saying. We are to be armed spiritually. How? Ephesians 6:17-18 says:

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

Our weapon is what? The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. And we are to do what? Pray always, be watchful, persevere, and pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ. How can we use the sword, that is the Word? By speaking it when it needs to be spoken - whether to ourselves or others, and by allowing ourselves to be nourished by it and fed by it, as pure milk and filling meat to our souls. We can use the Word by hiding key Scriptures, passages, Psalms, and accounts (such as this one) in our heart - not necessarily always through memorization (I'm awful with that), but through again, just a love for the Word and a desire to know it.  

The Lord has a way with bringing His Word to your mind when you need it the most, as well as using it at just the right moments to guide, encourage, reveal, discipline, rebuke, comfort, exhort, teach, etc... For example, I have been struggling with depression and low self-esteem the past month something awful, over-examining myself in ways that are spiritually and mentally exhausting. I realized that I had allowed the lies of the enemy to fill my thoughts and though the Lord repeatedly and consistently spoke against those voices, I was prone to believe the lies because of my oft negative view of myself. 

And today, when I had written a blog post and then deleted it because I had written it in the wrong spirit (always test the spirits!), and then tried writing it again only to have a brother in Christ post something on social media that the Lord used to again, tell me I had written in the wrong spirit and to just let Him speak through me instead..... That's when He brought back to my mind this passage in Nehemiah that I had read almost two weeks ago and have pondered off and on since. 

When He (the Lord) shows me things in His Word and gives me a lesson to share with the Church (myself and yourself), He has a way of reminding me (if I take awhile to sit and write). My flesh, ever prone to wander away from the Lord's direction, wanted to write on one thing. But the Lord, ever patient and kind, just gently reminded me with a firm post from that brother and I was like, "Okay Lord, here I am, give me the words to write and let not my own flesh get in the way." He also led me to Psalms 31 today, what a much-needed Scripture! I will post it at the end and I hope that it will bless you as it blessed me. 

Back to Nehemiah.... We have to be armed with the Word of God. The devil is prowling around like a lion, seeking who he can devour (1 Peter 5:8). He comes like a thief to steal, kill, and destroy us (John 10:10). Do not think that because you are a pastor or a missionary or a Bible study leader, or even just a seat warmer at your church - that the devil doesn't come after you - that you're "untouchable". 

The more you try to build upon the foundation that is Christ Jesus, the more the devil will come to oppose you like he did with Nehemiah in Jerusalem. The more you work, the more watchful you must be and ready - ever alert for the enemy's attacks. And I mean work as in you are not lukewarm nor are you just a typical mainstream Christian, but you get down and dirty in ministering, serving, sharing the Gospel, seeking the Lord, studying His Word, praying, etc.... 

The Lord tells us we must pray always and for each other, as well as we have to persevere!  Nowhere does He tell us to do xyz (insert the traditions of man - the list is endless) in His Word in order to be soldiers of Christ and to persevere. He tells us that all we need is the Word of God, prayer, and perseverance! Just as Nehemiah and his fellow Jews had physical weapons of the flesh as they built their physical wall around Jerusalem, we have the Word of God and prayer as we persevere in building a life that is obedient to the LORD.

Are you facing attacks by the enemy, the devil, and are feeling like a failure or you just don't know what to do? Is he breathing down your neck threatening you with his insidious lies and telling you how he'll destroy what you are working hard at for the Lord? Go to the Lord in prayer and seek the Word of God. Don't hesitate (like I often do) to seek the prayer of your brothers and sisters either. Just as Nehemiah wasn't trying to rebuild the wall all by himself, neither should we try to go it alone either. 

This is what it means to be The Church and not just "a" church - we are willing to pray for one another and help one another to persevere through these trials and tribulations, as we are ever constantly threatened by the enemy. With Christ Jesus as our Head, and we as His Body, may we face each day, trial, and tribulation - with both joy and confidence as we work. 

Psalm 31

1 In You, O LORD, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in Your righteousness. 2 Bow down Your ear to me, deliver me speedily; be my rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me.

3 For You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name's sake, lead me and guide me. 4 Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, for You are my strength. 5 Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

6 I have hated those who regard useless idols; but I trust in the LORD. 7 I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy, for You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities, 8 and have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a wide place.

9 Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am in trouble; my eye wastes away with grief, yes, my soul and my body! 10 For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away.

11 I am a reproach among all my enemies, but especially among my neighbors, and am repulsive to my acquaintances; those who see me outside flee from me. 12 I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; I am like a broken vessel.

13 For I hear the slander of many; fear is on every side; while they take counsel together against me, they scheme to take away my life. 14 But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD; I say, "You are my God."

15 My times are in Your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me. 16 Make Your face shine upon Your servant; save me for Your mercies' sake. 17 Do not let me be ashamed, O LORD, for I have called upon You; let the wicked be ashamed; let them be silent in the grave.

18 Let the lying lips be put to silence, which speak insolent things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous. 19 Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men!

20 You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. 21 Blessed be the LORD, for He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city!

22 For I said in my haste, "I am cut off from before Your eyes;" nevertheless, You heard the voice of my supplications when I cried out to You. 23 Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints!

For the LORD preserves the faithful, and fully repays the proud person. 24 Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD.