I believe this is blog # 30 in this series of tracing God's familial theme throughout His Word.

Nehemiah 4:14-15 and on...  "And I looked and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people.  'Be not ye afraid of them:  remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.  And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to wall, every one unto his work."

The enemy is determined to rob, kill and destroy all that is good--that includes your family.  But, when we are alert to the tricks and wiles of the devil...like in Nehemiah's day....his plans will come to nothing.  Remember the Lord, Nehemiah said and FIGHT for your family members, for your household.

Satan has no new tactics.  Throughout history he has used the same deceit and temptations to destroy.  Being aware and conscious of his ways we can out maneuver him as we fight, on our knees for our children, spouses, any members of our family.

Later in this chapter we read that as they worked they had a weapon in one hand as they worked with the other.  Laying a good foundation as parents we work each day by example and testimony, teaching and training our family, according to the Word of God.  Our weapons are not carnal.  Our weapon is the Word of God.  In Ephesians, the sixth chapter, Paul tells us how to prepare, what armour to put on. 

We are in a battle, for the very souls of our loved ones.  We must fight with the tools God has equipped us with.  His Word, Prayer, our testimony--these are essential for the victory to be won.  It will happen as we take seriously the enemies purpose and tactical moves.

The exciting part is that the "Captain of the Host of Israel", Jesus Christ, Himself is at the forefront of the battle.  He will fight for us as we seek Him, trust Him, and follow His battle cry.

I've repeated before in my blogs that I would "storm the very gates of Hell" on behalf of my children and grandchildren.  But I don't have to.  Jesus has won the battle for me--I just need to go to my "Commander-in-Chief" and lay them on the altar.  He will fight for us.  He will be victorious.  But we MUST take Him at His Word, believe that He will do what He has promised if we do our part.

All we have to do is trust, like the old hymn says:  "Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him, how I've proved Him o'er and o'er.  Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus, O for grace to trust Him more."

I encourage you to stay on your knees fighting for your family members.  Nehemiah 4:20  "...our God shall fight for us."

Our little ones

Ezra 8:21 & 23  "Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God to seek of Him a right way for us and for our little ones, and for all our substance...So we fasted and besought our God for this:  and He was intreated of us."

Israel always knew where to go when they needed help.  Despite their rebellion and evil ways, God was their refuge, their present help in the time of trouble.  Like "spoiled brats", they ran to Him, knowing that His love and mercy would prevail when they called on Him.  Sometimes, fasting with prayer was necessary.  Their love for their children, "little ones" overpowered their foolish and selfish natures.

Today I have my sweet great grandbaby, Riley May beside me while I'm blogging.  She is 3 months old and definitely falls under the classification of one of my "little ones".  When I look into her questioning, innocent eyes it causes me to pause and consider the "right way" God has for her.  I wonder who and what will influence her as she grows.  Studies reveal that her character will be formed before she reaches the age of six.  What a grave responsibility her parents, grandparents, and others have as she develops.

What can I do?  I'm just a great-grandparent, I don't see her every day, I don't have the final say regarding what she eats, where she spends her time and who she spends it with.  What television shows and movies will she be subjected to; what books will be read to her; will she spend time in the house of the Lord; will she be taught to pray; will her talents and abilities be nurtured to full potential?

I have no control over these influences or answers to these questions that cause me concern.  These same concerns extend to my other grandchildren--all  different ages and at different stages of life.  One in kindergarten, some in grade school, some in high school, and others in college, one now a parent himself.  In most ways, my influence, especially on the older ones is even more limited than my input into baby Riley's development.  Many attend Christian School because their parents see the mandate in God's Word to instruct them continually in the ways of God.  That gives me some relief, but still the pull of the world and its ungodly ways pound persistently at the moral fiber of their hearts and minds.  Their Meme can't be with them all the time.

But, how wonderful to know that, just as Israel could in the days of Ezra, I can daily, hourly and minute by minute when necessary, go to God the Father, accessing His very throne room, because of the blood of His Son, Jesus.  There I can ask Him to guide, protect and keep in the hollow of His hand my children, my grandchildren, my "little ones" as I seek God's "right way" for them!

Mom, Dad, Aunts, Uncles, Grandmas and Grandpas; your responsibility is great....bombard Heaven on behalf of your "little ones".  You can't let up, not for one day. 

Answered Prayer for Grandparents... Blog #28

Ezra 3:11-13  "And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord, because He is good, for His mercy endures for ever toward Israel.  And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.  But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers who were ancient men, that had seen the first house when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice and many shouted aloud for joy.  So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people, for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off."

Chronicles give more geneology information which continues some in Ezra.  Again, this confirms God's compelling interest in family history.  Then in the 2nd chapter, toward the end as rebuilding begins and the foundation of the temple is laid--shouts of praise begin to sound.

The priests don their priestly garmens and trumpets are sounded as the shouts of praise begin to resound.  Joy and praise is abundant.  The beautiful temple Solomon had built was destroyed--but out of the rumble...repairs are begun.  The masons are put to work--progress is made as the foundation, (the most important part of any building) is laid. 

We can only assume that discouragement and sorrow has been prevalent throughout the years as Jerusalem and especially the temple lay in ruins.  Now, with a surge of energy and hope rebuilding begins.  The result is praise and shouts of joy. 

I see one of the most amazing and thrilling parts of this chapter the fact that there remained elderly people and priests who had actually seen the splendor and glory of Solomon's original temple.  Throughout the years as they clung to their trust in God to restore what had been stolen by the enemy...they lived to see the beginnings of restoration and rebuilding. 

The shouts of joy and praise mingled with tears of wonder and nostalgia to the point that it was impossible to differentiate between the weeping and the shouting.

What a beautiful picture is portrayed here as the older Israelites see with their eyes prayers answered.  God was faithful to Israel, despite their continued failings.  God did not forget them or their prayers.  He heard and restoration was beginning.

I recently read a beautiful blog byt Alycia Holston, "The Deadwood Forest" on crossrivermedia.com's blog.  She refers to the devastation of the burned out forrests in Yellowstone National Park.  I quote her:  "As a Christian, there are seasons in life when trials rage like a wildfire.  It burns and the smoke is so thick--it seems like we will never see the light of day."  She brings out that after the smoke clears--new life begins to sprout forth.

Keeping our eyes upon Christ, despite the enemy's attacks--which are often brutal and devastating, we will be able to rise above the fray and begin to see what God can do with the "ashes and rubble" left. 

God is so good and gracious.  I'm so glad those old grandparents and great grandparents were among those rejoicing over the laying of the new foundation of the temple.  I'm looking forward to restoration of everything the devil has attempted to destroy in our lives,our children's lives, our churches, and our nation. 

I can't wait to join in the chorus of Praise and shouts of joy!!!!!