Stone Wall

Have you ever had a time when you just knew God asked you to do something?  And then you moved forward, only to be blocked by some issue, excuse, oppression?  Then you begin to wonder if God even asked you to do the thing you first thought you heard.  What if you were wrong?  Maybe you ought to give up.  Ever been there?

This morning the boys and I were studying in Weaver about cities, and Jerusalem was the one we focused on for a time.  We looked at a map of the walls and who built them.  And Nehemiah's name came up.  So I grabbed our Bible and read to the boys (yes, a rabbit trail, my favorite!) about Nehemiah.  They recall the name from the movie Facing the Giants.  The coach told the defense to "build a stone wall."  So right away they were interested. 

Nehemiah had no doubt about God's will in his building the wall.  However, Sanballat came against him.  And since misery loves company, Tobiah joined Sanballat in the attempts to stop this wall.  As did many others.  But what is so impressive is this...  Word gets back to Nehemiah that people are plotting to come and kill them.  They were told to flee.  "So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows.  And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of 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 homes.'" Nehemiah 4:13-14

He didn't run.  No one did.  They prepared to fight!  I love his speech, can you hear his strength in it?

"15 When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work. 16 From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, 17 who were building on the wall. 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. 18 And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me. 19 And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another. 20 In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”  Neh 4:15-20

So he has half of the people working on construction and half ready to battle!  A trumpeter was beside him, always at the ready.  And they are quite aware that "Our God will fight for us!"  Are we that aware?  Do we know that He is battling?

"So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon at his right hand."  Neh 4:23

Is the Bible at your right hand always?  Is it worn from use?  It is your sword!  Are you at the ready with your armor?  The work doesn't end when the battle rages, and we have peace knowing He is fighting.  We battle in peace!!! 

So, if you are called by God to do something, let's say maybe you are praying about homeschooling?  I mention this topic only because it is so close to my heart and I know so many moms who are deciding to homeschool or considering quitting homeschooling.  But for you, it may be something else.  If you are called to do something, do not let the enemy and his workers cause you fear!  Even the well meaning people who tell you to flee.  Keep up the work and be prepared for the battle.  But battle in peace, with the Word at your side, and knowing He is fighting for you.  There will always be oppression when we're doing what God asks.  So call on the body to help you.  Even Moses had Aaron to lift his arms when he was tired.  Nehemiah didn't build the wall or battle by himself.  Stick to your calling and seek help when you need it.  And hold His promise, that He will battle for you.  If it's God's will, it is worth the effort.