Placed in Position to Protect

Today, I’m thrilled to write this blog to you from my heart. This one is coming from my heart, directly to your home.

To begin, I want to quote a verse from Nehemiah 4: 13 which says:
Therefore I positioned men behind the lower parts of the wall, at the openings; and I set the people according to their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows.

First of all, I want you to see that the original plan of God was for the heads of households, to be positioned at the lower parts of the wall; at the openings in the walls of our families.

For countless years, our wives, sisters, mothers, and grandmothers have held this position, but I believe that it was the intent of God for MEN (husbands and fathers) to take this role.

The women have been forced to take this role for many reasons. Many were forced to take this role because their family was devastated by divorce, death, or desertion. There are far too many circumstances and situations for me to address in this blog. However, I want to acknowledge that millions of women HAVE done, and ARE doing a phenomenal job in this role.

Actually, I want to acknowledge all single parents (male or female) and grandparents who have stepped up to stand in this position to protect the family. They have fought against the enemies that we talked about during this series of blogs (Sanballat, Tobia, the Ammonites, the Arabs and the Ashdodites) for decades while working two and three jobs, going to school, and raising a family. NO, they weren’t perfect and they didn’t always make the right choices, but they have stood in the gaps for a long time.

Yet, because this wasn’t a role they were meant to take on alone, many have suffered in their bodies, their emotions, and in their relationships. Yes, they have accomplished many things and have seen their families through incredible triumphs, but for many, it has come at a high price to their own well-being.

I would venture to say that most of the people who attend our urban community churches today have been raised primarily by a single parent: a mother, grandmother, or a foster parent. That’s not a judgmental statement. I’m just acknowledging real life and thanking God for His grace and favor.

I also believe this role is talking about our societal and community leadership. We believe it means pastors, politicians, business leaders, educators, entertainers; anyone who has influence, power or control, all have a responsibility to stand in the gaps of the wall.

However, if the person whose supposed to be preventing demonically inspired assaults on our families, has been silent or taken sides with our enemies, then we should expect what we have seen in our families today.

Having said that, I believe this strategy by Nehemiah can be applied to ALL heads of households, whether it is the father, mother, both of them, grandparents or foster parents. Whoever is head of the house needs to understand the SPIRITUAL significance of this position. This is about more than making enough money to make ends meet and helping your children obtain enough education to get free from the cycle of poverty. These are very important aspects of your role, but it also includes setting a standard for the foundational issues in your family’s life. You are to be positioned at the foundation of the wall of your home. You must consider what you are teaching your family by the example of your lifestyle.

In closing my comments for this week, I want to talk to the men in particular. I’m calling the MEN to join me in taking up our position in the opening in the wall. I want to make an appeal to that inner warrior to take your assigned place.

Men have a vital role in taking their place in intercession and prayer for our sisters, our wives, our mothers, and our daughters. I’m tired of watching the men in this city (especially the ones who are 50+ years old like me) who are pursuing young girls that are searching for a father. They’re not looking for a lover. They’re looking to be loved. They’re not looking for a boyfriend. They’re looking for a husband. They’re not looking for a playmate; they’re looking for a soul mate. They’re looking for that guy who will be their champion. She doesn’t want to be a trophy wife. She’s looking for a connection that goes beyond the physical stuff. Sure, for now, she’ll date the old fool, simply because he’s got money. But you better believe that her eyes are still on the young men in her own time zone.

Now ladies, on the other side of this, let me tell you a few of our secrets as men. Many know that this high standard is expected of them, but they never had a father to show them how to reach it. Just like many of you never had a mother to show you how to treat a man, they never had a father to show them how to treat a woman.

Many of us men have never really known what to do. We’ve been screamed at and TOLD what to do, but never SHOWN what to do. So we took our lessons from the guys on the street corner, the guys in the locker room, the guys in the barber shop, the guys that seemed to know how to talk to women, the guys in the pulpit, the guys in the movies, the guys on television, the guys who rapped on stage, and even the guys who broke up with our sisters and mothers.

The ladies may say, ‘How could they listen to those guys?’ and the answer is simple; there wasn’t anybody else. Those were the examples. And what men do is to either follow the examples in front of us, or we try to figure it out for ourselves. Many of us had mothers, sisters and aunts trying to tell us how to be a man, but let me show you how unrealistic that is. Just flip the question. Can a dad teach a girl all she needs to know to become a mature woman, a wife, and a mother?

I don’t say this to take anything away from what the women have done for decades and centuries, but look at the battle strategy of Nehemiah. The MEN were positioned at the wall’s foundation.

That’s why I’m calling the men to take their place in the lower positions of the wall. The lower position is right at the foundation of the wall. If we allow God to place us in the position to protect and lead our families, then perhaps HE can show us how to hold it down. Most men learn things by doing it. We learn as we go. So take your place gentlemen and let’s go!
  
I’ll stop for now and continue with more next week.