Guarding

In Nehemiah 4 the enemies of Nehemiah and those rebuilding the wall were being attacked by their jealous and angry enemies.  Nehemiah (in character) turned to the Lord in prayer and God again gave him a plan.  A plan where the people would guard (protect) each other. 

I think we have the same responsibility to each other and our spiritual leaders.  We have many adversaries and those who would love to destroy our testimony and lives as we strive to live to the glory of God. 

Scripture talks about 'guarding' in many passages.  Psalm 141:3 says "Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips."(NLT) The first way is to guard our lips and be careful how we talk to and about each other. "Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them." Eph.4:20 (NLT)

Proverbs 4:23 - "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." (NLT)

I Cor. 16:13 - "Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love." (NLT)

I Timothy 6:20a - "guard what God has entrusted to you" (NLT)

Let us be careful to guard each other as the enemy tries to attack us individually and as a church.  This was the plan that God gave Nehemiah and it still applies to us today.

Contributed by Karen Brink