Unity
by Ruben DeAnda
Week 3: Leap Together
Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”
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.
Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. 20 Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!” So we continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out. -- Nehemiah 4:13-21
Nehemiah had vision to rebuild the wall and after the people of Israel began the work, there were those in the surrounding communities who ridiculed and persecuted them. The people were afraid and lost heart. But this did not deter Nehemiah. He brought them back together and pointed them back to God. He equipped them with weapons and a strategy to provide protection for them and everyone took turns watching each other’s backs. The people trusted Nehemiah's plan because he pointed them back to God and led them to wholeheartedly trust God. He also organized them by family, prioritizing the most important human relationships one could have. He helped them to see that the wall was not about his vision or glory but it was a plan meant to provide and protect their own families!
Anything great we attempt will come with elements of fear or outside ridicule or questioning. We will always need people in our lives to point us back to God and remind us that He is the one fighting for us! This Scripture provides a great image as to how we can work together and function as a spiritual family. Everyone working together. Each family working together. Watching each others' backs and rallying together whenever there is a major need or hole in the wall that needs to be protected. Our LEAP'22 Initiative will only be successful if our GLB family leaps and works together-- watching each others' backs, encouraging one another, pointing each other back to God.
Your Leap:
Read Nehemiah 4 Thank God in prayer for those (by name) in your spiritual walk who have helped you go back to God in times of trouble or confusion or challenge. Call or text that person or group of people with a word of gratitude and encouragement.
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