Two Themes of God's Present Work

"One Year Bible" Old Testament History Passage
Nehemiah 3:15-5:13

Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon.  Nehemiah 4:17 (NKJV)

Nehemiah is a wonderful book about restoration.  God rebuilds the devastated, beaten down areas of our lives!  He gives us a new future.  First, there must be the re-establishing of vital, powerful, God-honoring WORSHIP.  Then, He leads us in the rebuilding of the walls of our lives.  He fills in the gaps.  He repairs the burnt out areas. 

There are two major themes that the Holy Spirit has been emphasizing and re-emphasizing to the Church in the past few decades.  Those two themes are CONSTRUCTION and WARFARE.  These two are at the core of what God wants for each of our lives.  He wants to build something great in you, your family, and your church.  This is more than just blessing you.  It means He will build you according to His good plans for your life.

But there is also an enemy who seeks to thwart and stop this restoration.  We have become aware of a realm of resistance that is hidden yet powerful.  Therefore, we must daily take up our weapons in spiritual warfare. 

So there you have it.  With one hand we build, while with the other hand we war.  Such is required for the advance of the Kingdom of God in our day.