Build and Fight

"The laborers carried on their work with one hand supporting their load and one hand holding a weapon. All the builders had a sword belted to their side." -Nehemiah 4:17&18
 
Sometimes life requires that we do two things at the same time. Nehemiah was burdened for the city of Jerusalem, and he wanted to rebuild the walls and gates. However, Israel's enemies didn't want them to rebuild, and so they began attacking them at the same time they were building. 

"But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the work was going ahead and that the gaps in the wall of Jerusalem were being repaired, they were furious. They all made plans to come and fight against Jerusalem and throw us into confusion." (Nehemiah 4:7&8) The Israelites had to both build and fight at the same time. 

The story of Nehemiah is a great example of how life often is. Often we are stepping out in faith, fighting for our promise, and earning a living to take care of our families, using wisdom. Sometimes we are going to school at the same time we are working. Sometimes we are working on our dream at the same time we are working at our "job." As a business owner, you have to go out and build your business at the same time you are doing the day to day activities to keep it running. In sports, not only do you have to play offense, you have to learn how to play defense too. Paul saw himself and others in a parallel battle as Christians: 

"We faithfully preach the truth. God's power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense." -2 Corinthians 6:7
 
Has God called you to build and fight? Ask Him for the grace and strength to do both if you find yourself in such a season today.