Drawing our Sword

“Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built.” Nehemiah 4:18

Jerusalem had been attacked and burned to the ground completely destroying the protective wall that had previously surrounded the city.  Years had gone by and Nehemiah was determined that he and the Israelites would rebuild.  Their decision was constantly being ridiculed by their enemies and their efforts threatened by another attack.  So, Nehemiah came up with an idea for each builder which made it more difficult to build but made it more possible to be victorious in the end…a sword girded at his side.  I looked up the word ‘gird’ and so love one of the meanings provided.  To gird is to surround or encircle which would have also meant to protect and defend.

Every single day of each of our lives we are building regardless of activity.  When the Lord has us waiting…we are building trust in Him.  When we are seeking a job…we are building courage and confidence.  When we are seeking a relationship…we are building community and fellowship.  In Ephesians 6:17, Paul reminds us that we, too should be surrounded and encircled with the sword at our side as we build…the word of God.  ‘And take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.’ Whatever we do and wherever we are our sword will only be our companion through spending time in God’s word.  The sword has no power hanging on our hip without the engagement of our heart and mind into the sword of the Spirit.  It is life-giving…it is life-guiding…it is life-protecting.  

There will always be people out there who ridicule our efforts and attack our beliefs, but we don’t live to appease man but to please God.  As you go about your day building don’t forget to strap your sword at your side and walk in the victory of the Word.  There will always be people out there who ridicule our efforts and attack our beliefs, but we don’t live to appease man but to please God. As you go about your day building don’t forget to strap your sword at your side and walk in the victory of the Word. 'Friends, when we hold on to God's Word, it will hold on to us...The power of Scripture becomes our strength...It will accomplish what it is intended to accomplish.' Wait and See, Wendy Pope, p. 64.