Nehemiah 4:17
“Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens (NKJV) held a tool in one hand and a spear in the other (MSG).”

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

The people who were building the walls that would protect Jerusalem with Nehemiah were focused on one thing: to edify and defend their house, family, job, inheritance, and city.
They had all the right tools within their reach; in one hand they held the tool needed to build the wall, and in the other they held the sword to defend themselves in case an enemy attacked. The sword typifies three things on a spiritual level: the Word of God, prayer, and confessing what the blood of Jesus has done for us. Do we have the tool in one hand and the sword in the other to edify and defend our house, job, society, nation and faith?
The people of Israel built the walls of the city in 52 days. I don’t know what it is you have to edify and defend, but make sure you are giving it your all to finish building.

LET’S GO DEEPER

1. EDIFYING vs. DESTROYING

Sadly, people complain about everything; nothing is good enough for them and instead of edifying and defending, they destroy and attack others.
They have a house, but complain about their house. They have a job, but complain about it. They complain about society and the government, but they don’t do anything to contribute to a better society or choose the right government officials. They complain about their nation, but are not exemplary citizens. They complain about the church, but don’t get involved in serving.
The decisions we make today will have a significant impact on our future. I want to motivate you to make the determination to defend your faith, your house, your family, your job, your society, your city and your nation.
The wall is half-way built, we need to keep building with enthusiasm until we have finished what we started!
Insist, persist and don’t give up!

2. THE SPEAR

Nehemiah 4:16-18
“So it was, from that time on, that half of my servants worked at construction, while the other half held the spears, the shields, the bows, and wore armor; and the leaders were behind all the house of Judah. Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon. Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built. And the one who sounded the trumpet was beside me.”

The sword is a weapon of defense that every believer needs to use on a daily basis. Our spiritual sword could be summed up in prayer, confessing the power of the blood of Jesus, the warrior’s armor, fasting, and nights of prayer, to name a few. We need to understand that everything is won in the spiritual world.
From the rising of the sun to when the stars come out, the people dedicated themselves to give it all they had. They worked from the early hours of the morning until the night; they even slept in their assigned spot in case of an attack.

Verse 23 says, “So neither I, my brethren, my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me took off our clothes, except that everyone took them off for washing”.
The people kept their clothes on at all times because they didn’t want to be caught off guard. They were always ready to respond to the sound of the trumpet as they kept watch day and night. They were alert and had understood that it was not a time to sleep.

3. THE TOOL

The kingdom of God is built as much with a sword as a tool. The tool represents us taking action to do the work of edifying and finish the job. (See verses 19 to 23)
Some believers use the excuse of being “too spiritual” so they don’t take action, forgetting that the Bible says, “faith without works is dead” (James 2:14).

What are some of your dreams? Let’s take a look at the most common dreams:

● See your family at the feet of Jesus.
What are you doing for this dream to come true? Are you giving them a good testimony with everything you do and say?

● You dream of your own house, business, studio, maybe a trip or your own car.
What are you doing to achieve this? Are you saving, planning to accomplish it, and giving steps of faith?

● You want to pay off all your debt.
How are you working towards this? Are you spending less and stewarding your resources correctly?

● You desire to serve God wholeheartedly.
How much time are you investing in your spiritual life? Are you willing to start being a part of a cell group consistently?

● You want a better government for your city
How much effort are you putting into bringing others to join the dream of building the future?

It’s the time and occasion to rise up and edify!

CHALLENGE

We know this is the time to rebuild the walls around Bogota and through our prayer and action decree protection, salvation and restoration. Throughout the course of this week, invite your friends, neighbors, and even those who are not familiar with our candidates to join this challenge of conquest for Bogota.

Make sure to also be part of the intercession as we cry out for our beloved city.