This year has been described in many ways and I don’t know about you, but I think our emotions during this year could equally be described. Can I get a witness?! The Bible has many words of encouragement for believers, but one in particular I found to be quite the gem, is tucked away in the Old Testament. How many of you are familiar with the book of Nehemiah? Maybe the Old Testament intimidates you or maybe you think it’s boring. Oh friend, if that is how you feel, you really need to take some time and dive in because there are so many nuggets of wisdom and encouragement to be found on every page of the Bible, including the pages of the Old Testament!

The book of Nehemiah recounts the rebuilding of Jerusalem as a fortified city and the establishment of civil authority there. If you aren’t familiar with Nehemiah, he was appointed by the Persians to be governor. He came with an army escort at government expense to accomplish God’s purpose. And the book of Nehemiah focuses much attention on the efforts to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, despite fierce opposition from unfriendly neighbors.

By the time you get to chapter 4, Nehemiah mentions the believers having 3 things in their possession while they are rebuilding the city walls. Pay special attention to verses 15-23 and you will find these 3 items: a sword, a trowel, and a trumpet.

The first item we find in their hands is a sword. The type of sword that they would have held was used for defense against a physical attack. It was for up-close, hand-to-hand combat. We may not need to hold a physical sword or dagger in our hands at all times for defense, but what do many of us keep on our side? Pepper spray? Pocket knife? Something that fits on your key chain, or in your pocket, or in your purse? Why? For protection, right? That’s what these guys were doing. Protecting themselves and their families from harm.

Nehemiah didn’t ignore the threats made against him or pretend they weren’t real. He prayed for God’s protection, but he also put his faith into action. We might not carry a weapon on our side, let alone a dagger, but we should be carrying our “sword.” – the “sword of the Spirit”, which is the Word of God. His Word gives us guidance.

Eph. 6:17, “…the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”

Psalm 19:7, “The Law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.”

Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Our pastor told us one time, “other swords stab you to death, but the sword of the Spirit stabs you to life.” God’s Word is truth and light. It provides instruction, warning, and encouragement. The sword of the Spirit is also a sufficient weapon. It is “the” sword of the Spirit. The only one. There are not many; there is only one. And it is sufficient for our spiritual growth.

The second item we notice would be a trowel. They were working and the work they were doing was building a wall. Are you familiar with masonry? Masonry is the building of structures from individual units, which are often laid in and bound together by mortar. The common materials of masonry construction are brick, building stone such as marble, granite, and limestone, cast stone, concrete block, glass block, and adobe. A masonry trowel is hand tool used to apply and smooth the mortar that is placed in between the rocks, bricks, etc.

These believers in Nehemiah chapter 4 were working to rebuild this wall. They very well could have been using a trowel or other tool to complete this task. We may not use a trowel when we do the Lord’s work, but the point is not tool we use. The point is to serve Him. We serve Him through our work and obedience to what He has called us to do.

Nehemiah 4:6, “So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind and heart to work.”

As the people were working, they were being discouraged, verbally attacked, and physically threatened. However, they did not quit their work for the Lord.

Nehemiah 4:14, “When I saw their fear, I stood and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: “Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”

Sometimes, even often, we get distracted with putting out the little fires all around us…when what we really need to do is pray for those fires and then give them over to the Lord and let Him put them out. Otherwise we spend our time, energy and effort on side things that end up taking us away from our real task and job that God has called us to.

These people building the wall were vigilant. Vigilant means to keep careful watch for possible dangers or difficulties. And in our faith and walk with the Lord, vigilance matters. We are to be read up, prayed up, alert and sober-minded. We are to be vigilant. We are to be busy, working and serving the Lord. Not idle. Not lazy. Not complacent. Not distracted – but focused on Him and the work He has for us to do. Not selfish or self-centered, but united with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Working for the common good and working for the benefit of others, not just ourselves – because we know our welfare is often dependent on the welfare of others.

Nehemiah 4:17, “Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens carried with one hand doing the work, and the other keeping hold of a weapon.

The last item we find with these believers rebuilding the wall was a trumpet. There were men blowing trumpets to sound an alarm and communicate with all those working on the wall.

Nehemiah 4:18-20, “As for the builders, each wore his sword strapped to his waist as he built, while the trumpeter stood near me. And I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, “The work is great and extensive, and we are separated on the wall far from one another. At whatever place you hear the sound of the trumpet, assemble to us there. Our God will fight for us.”

The Holy Spirit is like our trumpeter. He sounds the alarm to alert us to the enemy and any attacks that may come. The picture here shows a united effort. We do what we can and we encourage others. We watch out for each other. We lift each other up and encourage one another to continue on in the faith and work of the Lord. We motivate our brothers and sisters in Christ to do what they were called to do. Everyone has a role in the body of Christ. But we all should be encouraging those who are working, serving, and fighting for the faith alongside you! We are a team!

The rebuilding of this wall was not an easy task for the people of Nehemiah’s time and the economy was not in their favor either. They were pulled from their farms to help with the construction and a famine had even hit the region. People were suffering – yet even in their chaos, they banded together, and as a united front they served the Lord, protected their families, and kept on in the faith, trust, and obedience of the Lord, His Word, and His calling on their lives!

Yes, it took great sacrifice for those people, but it takes sacrifice for us as well. We are all in this together; no man is an island. We were made for community and relationship; and God is our example. Don’t be quick to dismiss the sacrifice that is involved. Some may be sacrificing a little more than you! Acknowledge what they are risking and acknowledge their genuine willingness and desire to help and serve and fight alongside you (their brothers and sisters in Christ).

The body of Christ can have victory, but we need the sword of the spirit – the word of God. We need to be serving the Lord. And we are to be vigilant and united as we await His return.