"For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me." (Nehemiah 4:18)

Let's see if you can picture this . . . men building a wall around a city, busily working with their tools yet armed for battle! Today it would be like a construction crew working on a major project wearing on one hip the carpenter's belt complete with hammer, mallet, wrenches, screwdrivers, measuring tape, nails, screws, and the like, and on the other hip a sword in its shield, unlocked and ready for whatever enemy may come against them.

Kind of a fearsome thought! One writer interprets this "picture" as having a hammer in one hand and a sword in the other! Essentially, the symbolism is the same – building and protecting!

Our jobs as Christians are to be builders of the Kingdom of God while we are fully clad with the whole armor of God, waging an assault on the kingdom of darkness! Build the Kingdom, fight for our families! Build the Kingdom, fight for our marriages! Build the Kingdom, fight for our nation, our state, our cities, our neighborhoods, our churches, our schools – the list goes on and on! We can't lay down our "hammer" because of our calling as Kingdom Builders and we can't lay down our sword because of our calling as soldiers in God's Army!

It takes true grit to be a Builder and Warrior all in one . . . with a strength not our own, with a vision and purpose that is eternal, with a plan that is born in the heart and mind of God!

How do we accomplish such a task?

Jude 20-21 ~ "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."

How do we fulfill such a role?

Ephesians 6:18 ~ "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."

Arm yourselves with prayer and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God! Work to build the Kingdom up ~ don't tear it down with unrighteous thoughts, words, and deeds, but persevere in the power of God as you fulfill your calling as a Builder and Warrior of the Kingdom of God!

Father, work in me, Lord, that I might be all that You have purposed in Your heart for me to be! Lord, teach me to wield the Sword by giving me an insatiable desire for Your Word. Show me how to be a Builder of the Kingdom by building not only myself up in the most holy faith, but by building others up through exhortation and encouragement and living a life before them that draws them to You! Father, I long to be a Builder and Warrior for Your Kingdom . . . teach me all I need to know, anoint me and commission me according to Your good pleasure! Mold me and make me after Your will. Form me into a blessing to You and to others as I hold a hammer in one hand and a sword in the other! Be glorified, Lord, in Your Kingdom Builders and Warriors! In Jesus' precious name, by His blood, and for His glory, Amen and Amen!

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints" (Ephesians 6:13-18)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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