Standing Gaurd

The phone I usually carry in my pocket sends me an alert from my security system camera informing me someone is on my front porch. You can’t leave a store without being stopped if the cashier did not remove all the proper tags because the alarm system will let the personnel( and everyone else shopping) know that you are about to leave the premises with unauthorized merchandise. At one of our local banks, we have an armed guard who greets us at the door. I have seen police cars in parking lots at high schools during football games to provide extra security to all who attend and the Same at concert arenas. We even have ministry teams at church assigned to parking lot security so that folks can worship without distraction and fear of their car being broken into. Thieves realized this was a hot spot across America to score on Sunday mornings. The other half are interested in our unoccupied houses at the same time. Neighborhood watches are in place to help us enjoy our outdoor time, walking our dogs or riding our bikes. Security brings peace of mind and often lets us stay focused on what is before us at work and play. I am sure that the tellers at the bank would confirm that it is easier to do their job knowing someone is keeping watch. Even sometimes, the most private attempt to use a port-a-potty at a function is better when a friend stands by the door – You know the feeling. 

Fear can be a distraction even during the most simple tasks at hand. As a child, my family was big blackberry-pickin’ people. But if you know anything about this activity, you know snakes like blackberries too. I was constantly distracted, keeping one eye on the bucket and one on the ground. I would have preferred if someone, anyone, would have abandoned picking for guarding. My argument was that pickers would be more productive(more pies, jelly) had we employed keeping watch. When my kids came along, they endorsed this view as well.

Nehemiah found himself and his workers in the same situation. When Sanballat’s and Tobiah’s attempts to stop the work on the wall with harassment failed to be effective, they upped the ante and began a physical campaign to halt the reconstruction project. Here is how the account is recorded in Nehemiah 4.

“When Sanballat, Tobiah, Arabs, Ammonites, and the people of Ashod heard that the repairs to Jerusalems walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were outraged. They all plotted together to come to Jerusalem and fight and stir trouble against it. But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet the threat. Meanwhile, the workers said: “the strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild. Also, our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and kill them and put an end to the work.”

Neh 4:7-10

Talk about working under duress. The task itself is physically getting more strenuous due to all the clutter and rubble in the way. We are not talking about a professional construction company but a neighborhood volunteer group attempting to rebuild their wall to protect their families. This is an excellent place to stop and be reminded if the enemy can’t wear us out mentally, he often will attempt to attack us physically. Sometimes he works through fatigue to draw us closer and closer to exhaustion. Chronic aches and pains seem to worsen etc. While we are not rebuilding walls, we may be starting new jobs, caring for an elderly family member, undertaking a home renovation, or simply trying to get our life more organized. Battling fearful distractions can sap our energy or stall us out and keep us from achieving what God has called us to.

According to the scripture, Nehemiah, with God’s help, devises a plan to post families at the most vulnerable spots on the wall with swords, spears, and bows. He calls a town meeting and reminds them, “Don’t be afraid of them…Remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your families and your homes!” It is recorded from that day forward that half the men worked on the wall while the other half stood guard Folks who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other. Even those working on the wall kept their swords at their sides. Because the wall was about 2 miles in length, Nehemiah recognized the workers were too spread out to defend themselves safely. He also employed a man with a trumpet to blow it at first sight of danger so that the people could come and join the fight reminding them, “Our God will fight for us!” Notice he doesn’t say with us. Our defense in this life is to keep God at the front of the battle leading us. We are not his military colleague, nor is God relegated to be consulted. Nehemiah carried over the guarding to cover the workers daily and the people and the wall by night. The Bible says Nehemiah and his own men were so diligent about standing guard that they didn’t change clothes and carried a weapon even when they went for water. This group kept their eye on the prize of a reconstructed wall that would protect the city and its people where they could return to living without constant fear.

My mantra of ministry is that God’s word is the way through. These biblical records are not just for information but for inspiration. It is not just historical but lends perspective to what I call life ‘in the daily.’ It makes me recognize there will be times when I will be stretched mentally and physically with the task of living. But if I am to come out victoriously, I must remember God fights for me, and I have Christ the Good Shepherd standing guard over this lamb that I am. It also reminds me the walk of faith is not passive but active. I must do my part. God has given me the talents and abilities to be productive to build a life here on earth. He has given me weapons like prayer and His word to defend myself. In His own words, Christ has often reminded me to keep watch, vigilant, and alert. God has given us fellow servants that can sometimes help with the work while others keep watching through care and support. I can’t help but think of all the lost productivity I have experienced just because I was distracted by fear and was too apathetic or unwise to keep watch. On the other hand, today, just like all the blackberries that never made it into my bucket, I can’t help but think of all of God’s sweet surprises I might miss out on just because I am too distracted to keep working at it.

Lord help me remember, “YOU are awesome and great, and keep watch, but should I need to fight, YOU fight FOR me. The fears of this world sometimes keep my head spinning and distracted even sometimes from living the abundant life you have provided. Help me to be wise in my watch but diligent in my work so that my bucket may be full and overflowing.

Join me next time when the 5 o’clock worker examines how “The Plot Thickens” for Nehemiah and the workers as the series “Under Reconstruction” continues.