Doing Things God's Way!

Scripture
Nehemiah 4:1-3, 9, 14
  1 Now it came about that when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious and very angry and mocked the Jews.  2 He spoke in the presence of his brothers and the wealthy men of Samaria and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Are they going to restore it for themselves? Can they offer sacrifices? Can they finish in a day? Can they revive the stones from the dusty rubble even the burned ones? 3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was near him and he said, “Even what they are building--if a fox should jump on it, he would break their stone wall down!”
 
 9 But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set up a guard against them day and night.

 14 When I saw their fear, I rose and spoke to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people: “Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses.”

Observation
Coming home from camp this last weekend was a high time for me with God and the ladies from our church.  The theme for this year's Ladies Retreat was 'Our House, His Home.'  I was asked to present one of the workshops which was such an honor and privilege for me.  "The Wise Woman Builds Her House" was my title, and this reading in Nehemiah about rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem - reminds me that I need to mindful that the enemy does not want me to succeed at 'building my house' and making the repairs and adjustments that need to be made.  The enemy is angry at the 'rebuilding' we are doing.  He mocks and despises our efforts in trying to do things God's way.  The enemy comes to bring confusion and disturbances to demoralize us and bring us to the place of giving up.  Yet, the response of the Jews is to pray to God and set up a guard against the enemy.  When fear comes, Nehemiah exhorts the Jews to "not be afraid, remember the Lord, He is GREAT and AWESOME!  And FIGHT for your families and homes!"  The Holy Spirit comes in the same way and whispers to my heart, 'Do not be afraid dear one - remember the Lord!  Fight for your family, Fight for your home.  I am with you!  You are not alone!  Keep doing things God's way!  You will succeed and have victory!

Application
Don't quit - keep building.  Keep obeying God - stay the course.  Do the things I know to do that are right!  Fear NOT!  The Lord is with me!  Fight on my knees with prayer for my family and be on my guard against the confusion the enemy brings.  Don't listen to the accusations of the enemy!  Instead I will hum or sing, and occupy my thoughts with praise to the Lord who alone is GREAT and AWESOME!


Prayer
Father, You are God Most High, my Master Builder, my Watchman, my defender, my protector, and the One Who gives me success.  Without You, I can do nothing.  I know it's not by my power, or my might, but only by Your Holy Spirit power that victory can come.  Thank You for loving me and showing me the way!  In Jesus Name, A-men.


Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain. Psalm 127:1
The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish tears it down with her own hands. Proverbs 14:1