Daily Affirmations - Day 5 - Take Up Your Positions - Fight For Your Families And Your Homes
Day 5: Fight for your families and your homes
Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!” (Nehemiah 4:19-20).
We kneel before You today, O God— our Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name (Ephesians 3:14-15). It was You who designed family from the beginning, when you determined it was not good for the man You had created to be alone (Genesis 2:18).
And even after the disobedience of the first man and woman, You continued Your concern in the midst of human dysfunction with its toll on every family through the ages. For in the greater unfolding of Your purpose, You are building family, not just for this mortal life, but also for eternity.
Gracious God, children are a heritage from the Lord (Psalm 127:3). They are Yours, but You have entrusted them to us. You have appointed us guardian of their welfare, both in the natural realm, and in the spiritual, for You seek godly offspring (Malachi 2:15).
Lord! We cannot do this without You! We know that unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain (Psalm 127:1). We know that forces stronger than we are desire to exploit the gaps and exposed areas— to break down defenses and breach the walls of safety and security (see Nehemiah Chapter 4).
Steel our minds against the lies and the threats, the discouragement and the negative reports. Strengthen our spirits against the taunts and the jeers, the mockery and the ridicule. Help us to follow the example of Nehemiah— who calmly looked things over and viewed the dire circumstances in light of Your truth and Your power:
Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes” (Nehemiah 4:14).
Sovereign Lord! We cry out to You against the ruins and the devastation we see around us in human families. We raise before You the specific broken places in our own sphere. Give us wisdom.
We plead for Your help. Deliver our children, help Your family. Did you not promise, Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings (Isaiah 58:12)?
Help us to carry on the work. Please fight for us.
Vainly through the night the ranger
keeps his watch, lest foes alarm;
Still the city lies in danger,
but for God's protecting arm.
Vain were all our toil and labor,
did not God that labor bless;
Vain, without His grace and favor,
ev'ry talent we possess.
Vainer still the hope of heaven
that on human strength relies;
but to him shall help be given,
who in humble faith applies.
Seek we then the LORD's Anointed;
He shall grant us peace and rest:
Ne'er was suppliant disappointed,
who through Christ his prayer address'd.
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