Nehemiah 4:6 So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
“For the people had a mind to work.” Those words pierced my soul this morning. The people of God no longer have a mind to work. Fewer and fewer people are building the church, more and more people are drifting away and nobody seems to notice. I have no doubt that the walls of Jerusalem were much the same way. Slowly they began to crumble until the enemy could walk through without issue. But there came a day when Nehemiah’s burden became the burden of Israel and wall was rebuilt because they “had a mind to work.” One man had a plan and saved a nation.
Jesus had a plan too, and saved mankind.
My mind has been too focused recently the latter part of Matthew 24. Yes, Jesus is coming back and we need to be ready, but before He comes should we not “have a mind to work?”
Matthew 24:43-46 tells a story much like that in Nehemiah:
43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
We do not live in a walled city like Jerusalem to protect us from the enemy. The enemy is right outside our doors and the only defense we have is the Lord Jesus Christ and His word; for which we’re left here to build on until He returns.
A mind to Watch
American is watching, but they’re not watching their home. More than likely they’re watching the television or computer screen. Kids are tuned into absolute garbage and what’s considered to be the “new norm” while most parents are oblivious to the effects. When children turn to drugs, alcohol and crime it’s blamed on the environment, for which I agree. The new norm is a tube filled with violence, sex, drugs and alcohol and children from the age of preschool are exposed to it. There’s a breach in the walls of our homes and it’s not on the outside. Just because it’s not real, doesn’t mean it won’t have a real effect on the mind of both youth and adults. I speak from experience, I know what it’s done to my own mind.
A Mind to be Wise
The scripture says if the homeowner had known what time the robber would come he would have been watching. We know what time the robber will come… this very day, and every day to follow until the Lord rids this world of him by throwing him into the pit. Have you prayed for your family minds to be guarded.
John 10:10a tells us that “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:”
Those of us who know the word of God are for certain without excuse, and those who fail to know the word of God will not have an excuse either when they face the Lord. But the children of God are going to stand accountable for the breaches we’ve allowed to occur in the walls of our home, schools and church houses. We need to stand on the walls of our faith and guard our family from the destructive devices in our world.
I’m not saying we need to throw out the television, computer and other means of media. But we should choose wisely what we allow our mind to be exposed to. Youtube and other forms of media are designed to draw your mind into place you wouldn’t think to go on your own. What a tool in Satan’s hand to tear down the wall of a family.
A Mind to Work
That’s what made my soul sick. The harvest truly is plenteous and the laborers few. Nobody thinks it necessary to work for the Kingdom. They’d just rather wait. And yet the verses about watching and waiting for the Lord also speaks about the work.
Vs. 45-46 – Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
What’s the servant doing? Giving them meat in due season. The word of God is also known as meat.
Hebrews 5:12 says For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
Most of the world is living on milk (soft living), forgetting that meat (the word of God) even exists and servitude isn’t in their vocabulary. What a blessing they’re missing! Yesterday I did what I do most every Monday, I went to the nursing home to minister and serve in song and word. My, oh my! What a time we had.
Because I’ve been coming there on Monday’s for some time, I’ve developed a bond and trust between myself and the residents. We have a mutual love. I laugh with them, mourn with them, and pray with them. I serve them. The rewards for that service are not monetary but of far greater value. I long to live in the era for which they were raised. When “revival” wasn’t the name of an event but rather a way of life. But even of their era there were breaches in the walls. Satan has been around since eternity past and he never stops working. Neither should we.
This blog is in it’s 8th year. Hosted on godaddy.com for the past five. Expenses incurred for the operation of this site are without complaint and with gratitude for the opportunity. If the Lord would impress you to give to help cover some recent technology issues, I’d be grateful. I’ve not been in the world’s workforce for 3 years and for that I glorify God. It’s given me the opportunity to not only write and work on music, but minister to nursing home patients, volunteer in the Christian School teaching art and help other ministries with marketing. All of which require technology, communication, time and gasoline. Again it’s without complainT… but just in case you have a desire to help, or have “extra money” 🙂 Know that I would be eternally grateful.
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