Threats of Failure and Disaster

Nehemiah 4:8,9 They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.

Observation Jerusalem represents the city where the temple was and thus, where the presence of the Holy One was in Old Testament days. Here in Nehemiah as the temple is being rebuilt and much is being repaired (note: repair or rebuild is mentioned just over 40 times in Nehemiah 3), there is a threat against the rebuilding. I can’t help but notice the response of God’s people in vs. 9 when that threat comes; they prayed and posted a guard day and night. Typically when we meet opposition we give up in discouragement, work harder or longer, complain or worry. The response here is total dependence on God to empower them to keep rebuilding and to be intentional about guarding against the threats and “trouble” stirred up among against them. And then in vs. 23, the last phrase caught my attention in this regard as it says that the workers “each had his weapons even when he went for water.” They took the assault against the rebuilding very seriously.

Application Verse 9 reminds me that in the rebuilding process of my life, when threats come against me and what God is up to and thus, I am tempted to give up or try to “fix it” or to worry or complain that I need to pray and post a guard in my mind against the threats of failure and disaster. Posting a guard makes me think of what Paul says in Philippians 4 about PEACE guarding my heart and mind when I pray/tell God my needs and then thank Him for the answers. What a great reminder as I trust God for some big things in my life and in the lives of those I love. Also, God is always inviting me to partner with Him to rebuild something or someone in my life, often its ME. Thus, it seems that there are also always spiritual powers against what He’s doing in my life, or in the lives of those I’m praying for and I need to be more intentional about standing strong when I feel weak and I do that with HIS armor/weapons (Ephesians 6). And what a concept in Nehemiah 4:23; to keep vigilant with my spiritual weapon, particularly the TRUTH/His Word, at ALL times … even in the most daily of events, when going for water.

Prayer Holy Spirit I give you permission to remind me that when the battle comes it is my cue to stand firm, to pray and put my dependence in YOU to do the rebuilding in areas of my heart and life, and in that of others. As I meditate on the weapons of spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6, show me YOUR way and YOUR plan for the battles of my life as I am so tempted to lean on my own understanding and come up with my own plan of action. Forgive me and change my mind in that regard. Thank you, Lord, that you are a God who rebuilds and repairs and restores , I am so grateful and in such need!!