Not many people know of the 'king's cupbearer,' Nehemiah. See, Nehemiah was a man who's fear of God was much greater than the fear of his enemies. He was a man who mourned for his people's suffering and took action to rebuild them as city. Such profound character is revealed in how he took initiative and took position to lead his people to hope, faith and belief in God again.
In Nehemiah chapter four, we find here that the Jews are gaining oppressors as word of their rebuilding of the walls was spreading. Nations and tribes were against them- Sanballat, Tobiah, the Ammonites, the Arabs and the Ashodites. These weren't 'small' groups of people by the way. They were nations and large tribes. Realising that an attack was plotted against the Jews, Nehemiah knew that an attack such as this was to intentionally cease their work, their progress. He then told the builders, to defend while they build.
14 And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, the leaders, and to the rest of the people, "Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, the great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses. (Nehemiah 4:17)
Here it's reiterated that this defence is not in vain, it is not for their name nor is it for just themselves to be alive that day. This defence was to defend the future of their work. To protect the good work that had begun. The word 'fight' is repeated several times to ensure that these builders know what they are fighting for and who they are protecting.
17 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 hold a weapon. 18 Every builder had his sword girded at his side as he built.
The builders each had a weapon to use when being attacked while they continued to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. You would picture them having one hand with a hammer and another with a sword. So how does this relate to us today?
We've been give two things: gifts/abilities and a weapon.
Just as the builders had the ability to build, they also had a weapon to defend what they were building. For us, we may be given the ability to speak well, to work and invest in lives. We may be given gifts of music, drawing and what not. How we use these abilities/giftings contribute to what we are building- ministry, relationships, fellowship.
We are also given a weapon- the Word of God- to defend these. For we are not just defending but we are also fighting for it. We are fighting for the future expansion of His kingdom, we are fighting for this and the future generation. Don't forget that when something is being built for God there is certainty of an attack/oppressor that will intentionally want your work to cease. Because when that work ceases, it will become stationary. It doesn't not progress due to fighting off an attack.
Be believing and living out the Word you are using that weapon to its fullest.
We are also given a weapon- the Word of God- to defend these. For we are not just defending but we are also fighting for it. We are fighting for the future expansion of His kingdom, we are fighting for this and the future generation. Don't forget that when something is being built for God there is certainty of an attack/oppressor that will intentionally want your work to cease. Because when that work ceases, it will become stationary. It doesn't not progress due to fighting off an attack.
Be believing and living out the Word you are using that weapon to its fullest.
You will know that what you're building for is worth it when you get an attack and you end up fighting for it. So remember, that whatever you are building, do not let your guard down. You have been equipped with gift/abilities and a weapon, use them.