More from Nehemiah

Here are a few more things that I have learned from Nehemiah.

Nehemiah builds a stone wall and this reminded me of the importance of guarding our hearts. We should have a wall around our hearts. It shouldn’t be a wall that is unbreakable that won’t let anyone in, but a gate in which God has the key. In the temple of the Israelites, the Holy of Holies was the most inner place. Only the high priest could go in once a year, and this day was called the Day of Atonement. We should let God be the guardian of our hearts in such a way that He is the only one who should be able to enter the Holy of Holies of our hearts. We should open up to others as well, but that takes prayer and discernment from the Lord.

“Above all else guard your heart, for it is the well spring of life.” –Proverbs 4:23

When trouble came, Nehemiah had the builders using tools in one hand and weapons in the other hand. This reminds me that we need to be clothed in the armor of God as we are serving Him.

Belt of Truth: Just as the soldier had his loin belt to put on every day to keep his armor together, we must apply the Word of God to our lives on a daily basis or we will not be able to maintain our defenses. The belt was the first thing that the soldier put on.

Breastplate of Righteousness: When you walk in the righteousness of God, it is a weapon of defense against all those slanderous accusations, and outrageous strategies of the devil. The Bible declares that the heart of man is prone to be tempted according to Matthew 26:41. We are righteous in God's sight because of what Jesus has done for us. Right thinking and doing right are the part righteousness that we are to protect ourselves with.

Helmet of Salvation: The greatest battlefield is in our minds. This is the area that the enemy wants to attack the most. One key area he wants to damage is our assurance of salvation.

Sword of the Spirit: Our sword of the Spirit is the word of God. When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, Jesus quoted His Father's words and spoke them with authority. Consequently, each Word was like a sword-blow to Satan's head! God has given us the authority to use His words because we are all ambassadors of Christ.

Shield of Faith: In this verse, the Roman shield stands for the faith of the believer in the promises of God. The value of faith lies not in the person exercising it, but in the person whom the faith is in.

Feet Fitted: Offensively this peace will help you to stand with your feet planted firmly on the Word of God and stay there, unmoved by the devil's threats and lies. It will protect us when we walk through the rough places and keep us steady in the heat of a battle.

Love,
Amanda