On January 6, 2010 after a Sunday experience with the Holy Spirit, the watchman decided to spend time in morning worship and Bible reading on his own. The Book of Nehemiah came to his mind and he read the verses aloud. The reading was different from his previous reading of the same Book. The whole Book brought to him a clear message about re-building a church.
He saw how Nehemiah processed the monumental task, all in 52 days, to rebuild the Jerusalem walls. Nehemiah started the project alone. With God. God was the Master Builder. Nehemiah merely listened and obeyed. He prayed every step of the way. He prayed and received his answers immediately. He did not take things for granted. In fact, Nehemiah had followed the Holy Spirit all the way.
Nehemiah was a watchman on the walls. He observed and investigated each situation carefully and prayed. God answered and gave him the best solutions. He obeyed: followed and carried out. His problems were thus solved at the right time using the right tools through the right people, for the purpose of God.
The watchman noted in Nehemiah the following spiritual truth applicable in the present re-building efforts:
1. Recognize that the war is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual principalities, rulers and wicked forces in the heavenly realm. (Ephesians 6)
2. Acknowledge the key role of the Holy Spirit (the power behind all re-building efforts) and the words of God (the Sword of the Spirit).
3. Admit the importance of regular crucial strategic prayers as led by the Holy Spirit.
4. Organize and apply the rightful functions of the gates and the walls. The gates are to open and welcome the entrance of the King of kings, Lord of lords. The walls are for the defense of God’s people against the enemies.
The strategy of Nehemiah is to: watch, pray, defend and build until the whole city is secured and well guarded against present and future invasions and pollutions.
Nehemiah deployed half his men to build and half to be equipped with weapons and posted behind the workers/builders. Even the builders wore swords. The materials carriers worked with one hand and held a weapon in the other. Such caution and defense!
In conclusion in a similar task all rebuilding of the churches and God’s cities are to be like what Nehemiah was assigned to do, and it is pertinent that the new group of leaders and builders need to pray more and read the Bible more, much much more than during the time of inertia, while carrying out the rebuilding, restoring and reining. One hand with the building materials, another hand holding a weapon.
The rebuilding and guarding never stop, even though Nehemiah had finished his task in 52 days. The rebuilding and guarding is a lifestyle, a way of normal Christian living, and it should never stop. Jesus and the apostles have amply cautioned us about the time of perils.
James 4:7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
1 Peter 5:8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction.[b] 4 He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God.
Luke 17:26-30 New Living Translation (NLT)
26 “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 27 In those days, the people enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat and the flood came and destroyed them all.
28 “And the world will be as it was in the days of Lot. People went about their daily business—eating and drinking, buying and selling, farming and building— 29 until the morning Lot left Sodom. Then fire and burning sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 Yes, it will be ‘business as usual’ right up to the day when the Son of Man is revealed.
Luke 21:34-36 New Living Translation (NLT)
34 “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, 35 like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. 36 Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”
Originally drafted on January 6, 2010; revised and expanded on 2021-05-02, Kainotes.
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