Nehemiah 4:17-18: says; “Those who
carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other,
and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man
who sounded the trumpet stayed with me. When Nehemiah began rebuilding
Jerusalem, there were not enough people to dedicate builders specifically for
the arduous task rebuilding the protective fortifications around the city.
There were only a few military personnel to protect the unfortified city from
potential attackers, so the people
had to both rebuild the walls and protect the city. It was a great task, but
under Nehemiah’s leadership, the people accomplished their task and protected
their city.
The Christian marriage
today also must be built up and at the same time protected from attackers. We
need to build up our marriage, strengthening it to withstand the storms that
will come against it. The storms might be trouble with children or family,
financial problems or natural disaster. It takes communication and working
together as husband and wife to build a strong, intimate, growing relationship
that will both honor God and be a lasting testimony to others. We also must do
what it takes to protect our marriage from attack and from intruders. Outside
relationships, job, family, hobbies; even children or ministry can intrude on
our marriage. They can undermine our intimacy and oneness and drive us apart as
a couple. It takes an investment of time and energy to build intimacy and
strengthen our marriage.
Do you strive to build
up and protect your marriage? Do you use the sword of the Word of God to fight
those things that would destroy your marriage? It takes work; you must spend
the time, energy and money to protect and strengthen your marriage. Make the
effort today and it will save you pain and heartache later.