Nehemiah 3-4   In chapter 3 Nehemiah made a list of everyone who worked on rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem.  Each took charge of a section of the wall or of a gate and repaired that portion. They worked side by side.   It was hard work, made more difficult when the foreign neighbors started complaining, ridiculing, and threatening them.  Yet, even with this, Nehemiah never stopped trusting in God's provision.  His faith and faithfulness encouraged others to continue to rebuild.. even if they had to do it with a sword in one hand. 

Nehemiah encouraged the people.  "Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses." (4:14) Remember...  "Our God will fight for us." (v20)

We need this kind of encouragement today.  We live in a time when sin is glorified and people get angry at those of us who believe in God's Word.  We see more and more people who boast of their lifestyles that are offensive to their Creator. They do not want sin to be called sin. So they persecute those who do.   But, we are reminded again that our battle is not against flesh and blood, "but against rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." ( Eph. 6:12) 

Like the people in Nehemiah's time, we need to keep our swords in one hand as we do the work of rebuilding.. Our sword is  ".. the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God."  And our vital work is prayer.  " With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.. " (v 17b-18) As we each do our part, side by side.. like those who were rebuilding the wall.. our God will frustrate the plans of the enemy and enable us to complete the work He has called us to do. 

We are fighting for our brothers, sons, daughters, husbands and wives.. for our households.. just as the people of Israel were.  We need not be afraid.. knowing that our Lord is great and awesome and that He will fight for us too! May God give us the heart to work and the perseverance to never give up. 

Father in heaven, we hallow Your name and pray that You will receive all glory and honor and praise.  May the earth be filled with Your praise!  Father, we pray for our families and for our churches, that You would direct our hearts into Your love and into the steadfastness of Jesus Christ.. that  we might be faithful to stand firm in these evil days.. and that we might fight the good fight. Fill us Spirit of God, sanctifying us through and through and guiding us into the way You want us to go. May Christ be glorified in our lives, we pray. Teach us to pray as we should. Give us a passion for prayer. Give us a heart to do this vital work.. We ask this in Jesus' name .  amen.