Saturday: I Am My Brothers’ Keeper
Text: 16 But from then on, only half my men worked while the other half stood guard with spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. The leaders stationed themselves behind the people of Judah 17 who were building the wall. The laborers carried on their work with one hand supporting their load and one hand holding a weapon. (Nehemiah 4:16-17, NLT)
A sword in one hand and a trowel in the other.
What’s the point to that? Being prepared. It’s not just a motto for Boy or Girl Scouts.
Jesus and the writers of the New Testament had a lot to say about this concept of being ready.
Be ready. Be ready for the Lord’s return. Be ready, your enemy roams like a lion seeking to devour. Be ready to do good. Be ready to explain your hope and faith.
It’s not enough to only be engaged in the work. We have to be aware and ready for the warfare.
Take a few minutes and read through Paul’s description of the armor we need to put on each day.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6:10-18, NLT)
Are you dressed and ready for the day?
Pot of Manna 