Taco Copter?

 

 

This would truly be awesome. Can you imagine calling in a Taco Bell order and a few minutes later there is Quadcopter landing in your yard? That is pretty nerd-riffic if you ask me.

So much happens in our modern culture that keeps us at ease. Tacos flown to our door, hundreds of channels at our finger tips, microwaves, and motorized chairs… To much convenience and we are not used to working and keeping alert. (see texting fail)

Yet the Bible tells us consistently to be alert. A skill which is particularly important in a Builder’s life. With all of the obstacles that pop up, both from the outside and from within ourselves, we cannot afford to lose focus.

Nehemiah knew this truth.

16 From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, 17 who were building on the wall. 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. 18 And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me. 19 And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another. 20 In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”

21 So we labored at the work, and half of them held the spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out. 22 I also said to the people at that time, “Let every man and his servant pass the night within Jerusalem, that they may be a guard for us by night and may labor by day.” 23 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 4:16-23 (ESV)

 

With all the fear and doubt that can crop up in our lives while we try and tackle the task of rebuilding ourselves in the image of Christ sometimes we have to build with one hand and fight with the other.

Nehemiah knew the fears that the Israelites were having so he set guards and gave the laborers weapons. Men carried supplies in one hand and a weapon in the other, or else worked with it belted to their sides. The entire camp was alert and waiting.

Even Nehemiah stayed alert, keeping the trumpet with him he kept watch to call the camp to him incase there was a need. So ready were they that no one took off their clothes to sleep.

We often forget the principle of laboring with one hand and wielding a sword with the other. Spiritual warfare is not an idea when you’re a Builder it is a reality. When you are trying to build your life around Christ the enemy will come after you. This doesn’t mean you can stop the work, just that you have to wield the sword in the other hand.

Our sword is the Word of God, we have to know it to wield it. If you are not digging deep in God’s Word how can you expect the building not to be interrupted by the obstacles that threaten? The enemy is coming, set watch, keep guard, know the way of your weapon, and keep working.

Seem overwhelming?

Remember what Nehemiah told the Israelites, “Our God will fight for us.” And as Paul says, “If our God is for us, then who can be against us?”

You do the work and keep watch for the battle and God will see to the victory and the blue prints. Then you can celebrate with the simple joy of a child experiencing brand new things with every turn.

Sammy Loves His Shoes