His Sword Girded By His Side

Nehemiah 4:18 "For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me."

As Christians, I believe we all have a desire to live a peaceful life. It makes thing so much easier as we attempt to fulfill all our Christian duties. However, that is rarely how life works. And it is often in times of peace that Christians become complacent.

Trials and tribulations work in our lives in ways that times of peace cannot seem to accomplish. Think of the character, dedication, courage, and fortitude that was built in these Hebrews as they built the wall with their sword by their side, ready at a moment's notice to begin fighting. Building the wall surely would have been easier in a peaceful time, with no danger of fighting. Yet, there were lessons they had to learn which peace could not teach them.

In times of calm and peace, there is just as much reason to trust God as in times of war and tribulation. However, our human hearts rarely see it this way. Therefore, God often sees fit to put us through hardship in order to teach us to trust in the times of peace.

Am I going through a hard time right now? Is my longing for peace causing me to miss the lessons God is trying to teach me right now?