“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 homes.” Nehemiah 4:14
Do you have those people in your life, too?
People who taunt you while working God’s plan? Those who belittle your faith in God? People who think they know what you should do, yet are themselves far from God?
Nehemiah was sent by God to orchestrate the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s outer walls.
Obviously, there were those who disagreed. Their enemies.
So, Nehemiah and his men worked with a stone in one hand and a sword in the other.
“From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail….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” (4:16-17).
Nehemiah led the people to fulfill the work of the Lord even though.
Nehemiah led the people to walk in God’s promise even though.
Nehemiah led the people to finish what God wanted them to do even though.
Even though there were enemies.
Even though there was real danger.
Even though it had never been done before.
How did Nehemiah so wildly succeed? Because he held onto God’s promise. Nehemiah 2:8 says, “for the good hand of my God was upon me.”
Nehemiah knew God would be with him as he stepped out in faith to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. And he didn’t let one enemy get into his head.
He didn’t walk in his own strength. He continually asked God for protection.
He didn’t walk in his own knowledge. He continually asked God for wisdom.
He didn’t walk in his own pride. He humbly submitted everything to God.
What is God asking you to do? What are you cowering in fear of because you are focusing only on your strength? What’s that one thing you keep resisting, because you haven’t yet seen God’s strength over you instead?
Not talking about living for yourself. We’re talking God assignments.
That’s what Nehemiah had. A God assignment to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Rebuilding what God calls you to do takes grit, faith, and stamina. All coming from God. And you’ll have the enemy, too, reminding you of your past failures, inadequacies, and weakness.
So arm yourself with the promises of God. Arm yourself with the protection of God. Arm yourself with the truth of God.
And start rebuilding whatever God has asked of you. From little cracks of unforgiveness to big holes of bitterness, walk in God’s identity for you, standing up to the enemy with your sword. It’s time!
Photos by Kristen Sturdivant, Vigmund Djupang, Gioele Fazzeri, & Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash
Amy Linnea 
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