The Sword and the Trowel, To Shape and Protect

Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. -Nehemiah 4:17-18

From these two verses alone we can see that the work Nehemiah’s people were called to, that of rebuilding a city, was subject to much opposition, opposition so strong that it required workers to hold a tool, possibly a trowel with one hand, and their weapon with the other.
Can you imagine what this must have been like? I hope you can, because we face a similar situation today. Obviously we don’t have to carry a sword, or even a trowel for that matter. But in a sense, we are faced with the same task of shaping and protecting not unlike Nehemiah. Think about our relationship with Christ, we know that we are being “conformed” (Rom.8:29), or shaped, in the image of Christ. And we are instructed by Jesus, “be on your guard” (Luke 12:15) or protect ourselves against sin. So while we may have no need for a sword with an edge that cuts flesh, we have a great need for the “sword of the Spirit which is the word of God” (Eph 6:17).
The application of this verse doesn’t stop there. Think about shaping and protecting in the areas of your close friendships, your marriage, if you’re a parent, you should shape and protect your children; the list goes on and on.
Nehemiah’s team was committed to the work of rebuilding the walls. It meant a great deal to them, and because it meant so much to them they were willing to shape, and at the same time protect. This wasn’t a feel good weekend project, this was a major priority for them, and these people were genuinely committed!
Now for the good stuff; what are you genuinely committed to today? What really means something to you? Maybe a good measuring tool for those questions is to observe what things you are committed to shaping and protecting? Have you put your material stuff before your God, your job before your family, or your pride before your willingness to serve? Take some time to pray and ask God to reveal to you what your top priority to shape and protect should be.
Roy, GBF Youth Pastor