Building The Kingdom Together

But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry.  They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it.  But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat. Nehemiah 4:7-9 NIV

The enemy is never happy when the people of God are effectively building the kingdom of God! He will always plot against the church and stir up trouble against it. As Peter reminds us, he is on the prowl, roaring like a lion, looking to devour. Our first point of defense should always be prayer!

When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to our own work. From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me. Nehemiah 4:16-18 NIV

Half the men did the work, while the other half were equipped with weapons to keep the enemy at bay. Where do you fit into the work of God? Are you laying bricks or wielding the sword? Both jobs are critically important to the success of the building project! Every successful ministry needs both worker bees and those who guard them using weapons that have the power to demolish strongholds! Notice in the verses above the different roles that each person plays, as together they work to get the job done.

Sometimes God calls us to do the grunt work. And when he does, we need to work hard, with all our might as unto the Lord. Remember, it’s always God we are working for, never the people we see day to day. And sometimes God places us in positions that require less physical work and more sword bearing. We serve in these positions from our knees, constantly pouring over the word of God, soaking in his insight as we guard those building with great intentionality. Maybe you are “carrying materials,” serving in a support role, or perhaps you are walking beside the leaders, ready to sound the trumpet. Or maybe you are in leadership, bearing responsibility for the work and the builders who serve under you.

Often times, we serve in one role for a season, then God shifts us to a different role. That can be emotionally hard, especially if you go from serving in the inner circle to laying bricks in the hot sun, but remember this: God is the master builder, in charge of building his kingdom, as he sees best. We are privileged to be in his service in any role. So be on your guard against the schemes of the enemy.

Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.” Nehemiah 4:11

Satan is always looking for a way to destroy the work from the inside. He wants to be right there among us to hinder the building of God’s kingdom. Far too often, he finds an easy way in through the heart of a servant who feels slighted by the leadership. If he can create a discontented spirit in the heart of a builder, he can do much damage to the entire project. Don’t let your guard down!

Whatever your current role in the church, serve faithfully, with all humility, with all your heart and never stray far from the sword!