Repair and Rebuild

Ezra and Nehemiah set things right. Ezra, upon learning that Israelite men were marrying foreign women, responded with haste before many children became involved. Israel repented and again remembered that the God of Abraham is like no other. Nehemiah responded with deep emotion and haste to the condition of Judah, the wall that was demolished and burned. He was broken by its condition and immediately sought aid to bring it into full repair.

What walls are in disrepair in my household? What have I married myself to in my life that has encouraged me to create false idols? Do I heed to the conviction of the Holy Spirit despite the consequences? Nehemiah faced death for rebuilding the wall. He and his builders were attacked regularly and carried a weapon in one hand and a trowel in the other as they worked. What am I doing to protect my relationship with God? What weapons am I armed with?

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 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. 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. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 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 saints.

Ephesians 6:11-18