“Above the Horse Gate, the priests repaired the wall. Each one repaired the section immediately across from his own house. Next Zadok son of Immer also rebuilt the wall across from his own house, and beyond him was Shemaiah son of Shecaniah, the gatekeeper of the East Gate. Next Hananiah son of Shelemiah and Hanun, the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another section, while Meshullam son of Berekiah rebuilt the wall across from where he lived.” Neh 3:28-30
“…Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.” Neh 4:14
When Stalingrad was invaded by the German army in WWII it has been said that Stalin prevented civilians from leaving the city in the belief that their presence would encourage greater resistance from the city’s defenders.
Nehemiah, like Stalin, realized that men are much more prone to defend those they love above all else—above politics, patriotism, personal possessions and even self. Nehemiah’s strategy for rebuilding Jerusalem consisted of appointing men in strategic positions placing workers near their houses where they were to rebuild the walls. This plan made use of the instinctive protection of the workers for their loved ones and insured that they built the wall next to their house as strong as possible. He also encouraged the workers when they faced the enemy, “…Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”
The enemy will do everything in his power to tear down the walls of spiritual protection around those you love. As a christian father we should be concerned for what the future holds for our children, therefore, we must stand and fight the enemies of their future.
What kind of church will be left for future generations? Will we settle for a church where compromise has destroyed cherished Bible principles? Will we be content to just “getting along” instead of getting alone with God?
1Timothy 6:12 instructs us to fight the good fight for what we believe in… for If we do not stand and fight for what we believe in we will surely fall for anything!
Ephesians 6:12 informs us that we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.
We must become GUARDIANS for our families! A guardian is one who protects, one who guards over and against. Guard your children, your spouse, your relatives and loved ones. Be a shield!
1 Timothy 5:8 accuses anyone who neglects to care for family members, he has denied the Christian faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Moses fought and delivered his family from bondage. Noah protected his family from the flood. Joseph provided for his family during famine. David killed giants preserving his brother’s lives. Esther’s appearance before the king saved an entire nation. Abraham fought to free Lot from captivity. Ruth fought to provide for her mother-in-law. Jacob fought with Laban to win his family. Jarius fought for his deathly ill daughter’s healing. A father brought his demon possessed son and a mother brought her demon possessed daughter to Jesus to be set free.
Nehemiah’s charge also included “fight for your brethren!” This involves going beyond just the family circle into the framework of supportive leadership that should surround the family. “Fight for your brethren” involves, for our purposes, supporting our contemporaries of the ministry. For every fallen comrade the chain of strength overall is weakened, therefore, in the fight for our families it is also imperative to “fight for your brethren.” The Aaron and Hurs are still in demand to uphold the arms of the ministry.
— jlg —