“Prepared”

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. (Nehemiah 4.17)

Are you prepared to fight for the Lord's work?

For decades, the Jewish people had been in captivity because of their sin. Now, God had allowed them to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the wall of the city. The Bible tells us that Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites opposed the work. Without a wall, an ancient city was vulnerable to attack. The enemies of the Jewish people were angry and ready to attack to stop construction of the wall around Jerusalem (Nehemiah 4.7). Nehemiah was made aware of the enemies’ plans and prepared to defend the city with armed men at the wall and armed men doing the construction. Nehemiah was confident that God would bring the victory through obedience (Nehemiah 4.12-15). With a tool in one hand and a weapon in the other, they were prepared to fight for the Lord’s work.

Enemies still try to thwart God’s work in our lives. We must be prepared to work and fight. Too often, we become discouraged by opposition and accept defeat. The Lord is calling you to work, but you say it is too hard, or you do not want to be inconvenienced. The Lord is calling you to fight, but you say it is too hard, or you do not want to be inconvenienced. We forget that the Lord brings the victory. God does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called (1 Corinthians 1.26-31). Do not expect victory when you refuse to work or fight for what God has called you to do. With a tool in one hand and a weapon in the other, we must be prepared to fight for the Lord’s work. God brings the victory and receives the glory through His children.

Have you been making excuses to avoid working and fighting for the Lord? Have you chosen comfort over service, pleasure over pain, or your glory over God’s glory? We can expect trouble when working for the Lord, but He has overcome the world (John 16.33). We can expect God’s provisions in the battle. Let us obediently put on the full armor of God and know and use the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6.10-18). That two-edged sword is quick and powerful (Hebrews 4.12). God’s Word will prune you and defeat your enemy. Are you prepared to fight for the Lord’s work?

God, thank You for bringing victory over sin and death through the cross. Enemies and battles can make me fearful at times, and I want to give up. Empower me through Your Word and Spirit. Give me a hunger and desire to know Your Word better and to be prepared. Shape me into the faithful worker that You deserve and help me to live expectantly as I know You will bring the victory. Amen.

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Prepared | Nehemiah 4.17
Weekly Bible Devotional

Written and Produced by:
Reverend David Lyda
Little Stevens Creek Baptist Church
Edgefield, SC

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.