Sat.’s Devo - Spiritual Warfare

Read: Nehemiah 3:15-5:13; 1 Corinthians 7:25-40; Psalm 32;1-11; Proverbs 21:5-7
The rebuilding of the wall is the perfect example of how everyone with totally different gifts can work together on the same task and accomplish it.
When their enemies led by Sanballat and Tobia realized the Jews were still building they came to discourage them. They attacked their goal questioning their strength, their timing, and the power of God. They called the Jews feeble and condescendingly asked if they thought they could build this wall in a day and if they could bring the stones back to life since they were charred by fire. All of these very things had been prophesied about Jerusalem. Yes, God would bring a nation to birth in a day. Yes, God would bring the stones back to life. They were prophets and didn’t even know it.
Instead of giving up, the Jews prayed and worked harder with all their heart.
Now, their enemies decided that words were not enough, they needed to physically foil their plans so they met to attack the Jews. Their mission was found out and the Jews fortified the wall with ammunition and fighting men. The workers worked with a sword strapped to their sides and a weapon in one hand. With the other they built the wall. That is how we are to work, always ready to fight our enemy, the devil.
Their other battle was from within. Some of the wealthy Jews had borrowed money to their brothers and were charging interest and making servants of their children. Nehemiah rebuked them and put a stop to both of these. He lent money to the poor without charging interest.
It is so true that we fight forces without and within. Sometimes we are our own worse enemies. We have to stop listening to the voices of condemnation and intimidation. The attacks we feel from people are not really from them, they are from the devil who is using them. We don’t fight flesh and blood but principalities.
Paul continues his talk on marriage. We live in a world where marriage is a status symbol and if we are not married then we think something is wrong with us. I personally know at least three unmarried women who are beautiful, bright and godly. They all long to be married. I see no reason why they aren’t. Paul is trying to get our attention off of marriage and onto what is most important which is living our lives for the Lord. I think you can do that married or unmarried it all goes back to your heart. I married a man who loves the Lord like I do so we are a team in the Lord. Bottom line is we are to be content whatever state we are in and grow in that place.
Lord, help us to see our status as our platform to do what You have called us to do.