The Israelites working under Nehemiah understood what it meant to fight for what the LORD has called you to. Nehemiah 4:17 above tells us that they worked on the wall with one hand and held a weapon in the other. Though they faced a very real and present enemy, they would not back down from what God had called them to build.

We each have a specific area we have been called to build as well. It may be a ministry, a business, a church, a family, or something as personal as a relationship. Whatever it may be, we stand on the fact that the LORD has given us the mission to build and the equipping to go forth and do so.

Nehemiah left a place of comfort to fight for Jerusalem. It’s almost guaranteed that the area you are called to fight for and build up will not be comfortable. You see this place He has called us to will have us building more than we know. It will be an area that requires us to build up our strength in the Lord, to build up faith and trust in a God who has good plans. To build up the fruits of long suffering, patience, and love. We will be like those workers in Nehemiah, building with one hand and holding up the weapons of warfare in the other. We have to be equipped with the sword of truth, the mighty weapon of fasting, the daily yielding of the power that follows prayer so that we can stop the attacks of the liar, the twisted words of the deceiver, the fiery arrows of the enemy coming to burn down our lives.

We must make the choice not to sit in comfort or walk away from the hard work that will bring a blessing that will be carried for generations. We know it can’t be done in our own strength. That’s actually part of the beauty of it! We will learn what it means to lean on the Lord. We won’t even notice all the areas that are being fortified until the battle is over— that we have gotten to grow closer to our Provider. We were able to see what happens on a personal level when we call on the miracle working God. We saw with our own eyes the One who makes a way for His people — a way no one even saw coming!

“Your road led through the sea, your pathway through the mighty waters— a pathway no one knew was there! You led your people along that road like a flock of sheep, with Moses and Aaron as their shepherds.” Psalms‬ ‭77‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭

Dear Heavenly Father,

Sometimes I feel overwhelmed in the place where I am placed to serve You. Afterall, it’s not what I had envisioned. I admit that I don’t always have the best attitude as I go about my daily routine. There are days I ask that You let this cup pass from me, but today and every day I say, however, not my will but Yours. Please help me to go on the mission You send me on each day as I go about my daily life and help me be successful in reaching those around me for Your Kingdom. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Many times, when we think of being called to work for the Lord, we envision being on stage with a multitude of people listening, hanging on to every word. The truth is, though, that most of us are called to work for him within our families, in secular jobs, to our neighbors, etc. We may have to work in a place with very sinful people who possibly don’t like us. Like Nemiah and his crew, we may be in a daily battle while doing our service to God. Today, begin to think of your surroundings as a mission field and embrace the calling.