The words indecision and quandary suggest four more words to me—indecisiveness, vacillating, impasse and difficulty. These six words represent the number of man—6, which means confusion or disorder. God’s number is 7—completion. Allowing these six expressions to enter one’s psyche is a concoction, when blended together, produces poison to the soul that causes a person to live in defeat.
It is one thing being tempted to become pessimistic and reside in defeat, but it is another matter and most refreshing to stand your ground, unbeaten, because of the promise we have in (1 John 4:4). “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
This scripture promotes confidence, and without question, assures that God will never ask for something and then leave the person to fight battles alone. The Lord enables success through the Holy Spirit to accomplish the task that He wants done.
When a child of God sets out on a heartfelt mission for the Lord, the forces of darkness arise to do battle against the good they are doing. (Ephesians 6:12, 13), “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” But God is greater when we apply the following verse. Vs. 13 “Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
Every now and then it would behoove us to stop and re-evaluate what we are doing for God; to see if we are headed in His direction or off on a detour of our own making. The vertical relationship with God ultimately affects the horizontal outreach to those around us. If we find ourselves living the number 6 snafu, change is in order.
If our senses fail to detect warfare taking place in the spiritual realm, chances are the number 6 snafu is upon us. The task of rebuilding the wall of defense that may be crumbling around us must be taken seriously. But this process will never begin until the ruins are assessed, because of concern.
There are three basic principles of re-construction that somebody has well said—“A display of concern, confession and commitment, and courage with caution”—these five ‘C’ words bring success.
A man or woman of God’s calling has His gracious hand upon their ministry. But when defenses are allowed to crumble, because eyes have strayed from the work that God commissioned they do, a course of action to rebuild the wall must be implemented to block further erosion do to the number 6 snafu.
This wall, consisting of the whole armor of God, symbolizes strength and protection. God’s plan is made clear to those that are attentive to the needs of unsaved souls, which are floundering without a Savior. When a person is concerned enough to confess their commitment to the task at hand, courage mounts up on wings as eagles. By remaining cautiously aware, regarding the principalities of darkness, the final building stone can be placed in the re-construction process. They are now ready for battle. (Zechariah 4:6), “... ‘Not by might or by power, but my Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.”
When Nehemiah received word that the Jews were in great distress and that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down, and its gates were burned with fire, he wept and mourned for many days and was moved to seek God with all of his heart, (Nehemiah 1:3, 4). He confessed that he could not rebuild the wall alone. But Nehemiah committed himself to the task and moved forward with determination and caution; not trepidation. The time of indecision and quandary was over; there was work to be done!
Nehemiah was a great character of the Old Testament. He accomplished an enormous feat. In today’s society, crumbling walls are everywhere and many. If we open our eyes to see, the providence of God’s plan can be fulfilled in the lives of people through our efforts, if we faint not.
(Philippians 3:13, 14), “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward to those things which are before,” Vs. 14 “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
When we strive for that mark of character, we will receive the prize; and whoever fails to reach that mark will fail to get the prize. The mark must first be obtained in order to receive the prize. (2 Timothy 4:8), “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
Satan is not satisfied attacking church members only, he goes for the one standing behind the sacred desk; the pastor, which represents a wall of strength and protection to the congregation. When the shepherd of a flock falls prey to the number 6 snafu of inappropriate behavior, better known as sin, their conduct causes unrest and dissimulation in the body of believers attending the church. It is shameful when the motto “Practice what you preach,” falls on a pastor’s deaf ears after they have allowed the wall to crumble.
When Satan achieves his prime objective of deceiving the shepherd, Satan shouts in the face of God, “I win!” But God’s grace is sufficient for any person that permitted the protective wall to crumble around them. Walls can be rebuilt, because Jesus Christ paid the price for sin. A soul is not utterly cast down without hope, even though Satan tells them otherwise. He is a liar and the father of lies. There is hope for reconciliation with God through His son Jesus.
If a pastor or anyone for that matter chooses to continue down the path of disobedience, breaking God’s commandments, they should be removed from key positions in the church. The cliché, “Rules are meant to be broken,” is not applicable with God.
If there is no man or woman willing enough to take up the mantel of leadership, everyone suffers. It requires a special person, qualified and called of God, to step into this position and stand in the gap where they are needed.
This individual must know the voice of God and be sure that it is He who is speaking, lest they soon tire of the responsibility and surrender to the powers of darkness that are coming against the good works they are trying to do. This could literally destroy a church and scatter the sheep.
As in Nehemiah’s day, one individual could not rebuild the broken down wall around Jerusalem
As people in the church today begin to roll up their sleeves in unity, rather than sitting back complaining about the ruins, the fallen wall of defense will be rebuilt stronger than ever. The job of a pastor is to encourage, feed, protect and provide direction. Walls are rebuilt when people stand in the gap where they are needed and hold up the arms, as it were, of focused leaders. It is a team effort with everyone working together.
God is looking for willing followers and God fearing leaders to accomplish the providence of His plan. In the Old Testament, the Lord was seeking for someone to make up the hedge where they were needed, but could not find anyone. Let this not be the charge or epitaph of the Church today. We must take responsibility to rebuild fallen walls and not allow the number 6 snafu to envelope us.
The Lord God said the following in (Ezekiel ). “So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before me on behalf of the land…but I found no one.” The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ need not be buried under the fallen walls of protection. We are victorious through Jesus Christ our Lord, because He is the firm foundation upon which the walls are built.
Written by,
Papa Boyd
Written by,
Papa Boyd
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