Wednesday, June 5, 2013

The Many Builders – Part 2

Yesterday in The Many Builders – Part 1 we looked at the need and the value for us to build ourselves up through daily spending time with God. We focused on scripture reading as a means to do that. We also looked at the importance of having other build us up by regularly being around other believers, and our build them up as well. For me, there were times in the past that I forgot the latter point. No man (or woman) is an island. We are to be with other believers in this daily battle and blessing we call life. There is recorded in the bible a very practical example of this.

Nehemiah is the story of one man that had the attention of the king; and he used it to rebuild Jerusalem. As you read through the book you will hear how the Israelites made the journey to Jerusalem to find it had suffered destructive forces. The gates were burned and not working. The protective wall around the city was destroyed and knocked down in many places. And the enemies of the city were free to come and go, plundering the inhabitants at will. Then Nehemiah shows up with people to rebuild. As they begin to do this God revealed to them that the enemy wanted to attack them. What were the builders do, for they were just common folks? First some took up arms, and this caused the enemy to retreat. But from that time forward, every person working on the wall did so with their tools in one hand and a sword in the other (or strapped to their side). They were not just their for themselves, nor were they only going to protect themselves. They were together in one purpose as one community. We are to become the New Jerusalem. We have been plundered by the enemy, some more some less. We need each other to be able to rebuild us. Strap on your sword…

Prayer
Father, we thank You that You always help us fight the enemy. WE thank You that You have provided a way for us to win through the blood of Your Son, Jesus. We thank You for the scriptures that You have provided to help us build ourselves. We thank You that You have provided a community where we can help rebuild each other. Darkness fails. You win. We are with You, and we fight side by side. In Jesus name. Amen.