BE AT THE READY!

BE AT THE READY!

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.  And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. —Nehemiah 4:17-18

So we labored at the work, and half of them held the spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out. —Nehemiah 4:21

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. —Nehemiah 4:23

            Nehemiah, and those building with him, were always ready for war.  Even when they were working, they had their weapons in their hand or strapped to their side.  They were very strategic even while they were at work.  Yes, they were always at the ready… day and night.

            As we are building… sine He has given— “the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Ephesians 4:11-12 and then as individuals “each one should build with care.”  But while we are building, let us be at the ready.  We need to have the armor of God on and—

“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” — Ephesians 4:10-18”

So, be alert and at the ready at all times… just like those in Nehemiah’s day.  But we don’t battle “against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”  So always be at the ready— whether at work or at leisure!  Yes, Dear Father, may this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu2S9y3r0XE