“Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome….” (Nehemiah 4:14 NIV).
Nehemiah was a great leader. The Jews had been held captive in Babylonia. Some of the Jews had made their way back to Judah and were discouraged that the walls around Jerusalem were in shambles. Without walls the city was open to their enemies. Nehemiah had a great task in front of him. He had to unite everyone to help rebuild the walls and gates. It would take a lot of hard work and cooperation. They worked with all their heart. While they were building, their enemies started to insult them and threaten them. Nehemiah had to encourage everyone. He told them that God was on their side and that they had to continue to rebuild the walls. Half of the men held spears and the other half built the wall. They carried a weapon at all times. The wall was built in record time, 52 days, due to the fact that they worked together and trusted God.
We can take a lesson from Nehemiah. Our enemy is slightly different.
“Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith . . .” (1 Peter 5:8 NIV). The devil is out to destroy you and uses any means possible to do it. The key words in this verse are “standing firm in the faith”. Just as the men who had to hold spears to hold back their enemies, we to have a sword. It is the sword of the Spirit, the Bible. The devil would love for you not to read it. He makes you busy, so busy that you don’t have time to read it or ask God to help you see what valuable lesson you need to learn from it. Don’t listen to Satan. Take time every day to read the Bible so that you can hold your sword firmly against Satan. The words of the Bible will penetrate your soul and give you strength when you need it. It is your best defense against that roaring lion.
Dear Lord,
Help us to be faithful in reading your word. It is God-breathed and holds in it everything we need to live a life that is pleasing to you. Help us to cherish your words in our hearts so that when the devil tempts us we can pull our sword out and conquer him.
In Jesus name,
Amen
