I can't wait until we meet tomorrow morning for the study in Nehemiah to begin. Last week I was reading more in Nehemiah. I kept coming back to 4:14 "When I saw their fear, I rose and spoke to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people: 'Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome; and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.' " This passage is speaking about actual warfare with physical enemies that were threatening attack on
Brothers, just like Dick Kendrick said in his post last Thursday, we must see this spiritual life, this walk with God, this fight against ungodly desires and forces as a very real thing- just a real and imperative as having a job to pay the bills, putting gas in the car so you can drive. It really is critical to your very existence. He said "But if you saw your life as a great battle and you knew you needed time with God for your very survival, you would do it."
We are many times afraid of fighting the enemy, afraid of making righteous decisions because it may have consequences that we cannot foresee. Do not be afraid. Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Guys, we must do the right thing. Make those hard choices. Be strong and courageous.
I got an email from a high school friend last week that was in town to visit her parents. She wanted to know if we could get together for lunch or dinner with just me or with my wife and kids. Her husband was back at home and her kids were off at summer camp. We talked on Tuesday about meeting for lunch. That night she got a call from her husband telling her that after 18 yrs of marriage he was filing for divorce. She had no clue of any major problems, no separations, no recent huge blow ups. She was totally blown away when he told her he had been having an affair for five years. Men, I'm telling you this for some very specific reasons. When she asked her husband if any of his friends new about the affair, he responded "What friends? I don't have any friends." Guys, many of us have expressed the importance of godly men in your life. We cannot underestimate this!
It is a fight. It is a very real fight. We have to have other godly men on our side, watching our backs, making sure we are doing our job, challenging us to stay in shape. I want someone strong and able, fit and ready to come to my aid. One day a friend is going to want you to fight for him, help him out of a mess and he is going to want you to be strong and ready. If I'm straying because I'm not being careful or because of willful disobedience, I want some other godly guy to stand up and confront me. "Fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives."
And on that same note, let us not take for granted the families with which God has entrusted us. Love you wife and your child or children. Tell them you love them.
Be encouraged and strengthened, take courage and lead,
Philip Buford
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