The laborers carried on their work with one hand supporting their load and one hand holding a weapon. Nehemiah 4:17 (NLT)

How many of you have sorted cows down a sorting alley before? Okay, for those who haven’t let me paint a picture super quick.

At our house there are several holding pens on one side of the sorting alley. We start with what we want to sort in the farthest pen to the west. Then one or two of us bring about 8-10 head out of that pen into the sorting alley.

Then my husband, who is amazing at sorting cattle, typically sorts them. He will let specific ones go by him while holding the others. Then my oldest son (or other people here to help) are “running gates” for him. As he lets specific ones by he calls out which pen they go in and the person running that gate opens theirs while others close theirs. 

It all happens so fast and when working with family and friends who are familiar with all of it, it’s generally super smooth.

All the while, we’re each holding sorting sticks in one of our hands. 

Now you might be asking what’s the big deal about holding a stick in your hand. Well, it’s kept as an extension of your arm and also a way to help protect yourself if any cattle get on the fight.

The thing about livestock is they react to every movement you make. So people who are scared are too busy swinging their sorting stick around to focus on the calm work at hand. It not only spooks the cattle more it slows down the whole process.

But, when we simply hold it calmly in our hand and only use it when necessary the work just goes better.

As I was reading from Nehemiah this morning I loved the visual of the laborers carrying on their work while being ready to defend it.

I also discovered with some digging that it could have been a simple as a rock in their one hand. Sure some had swords but some simply had what could be seen as either a tool or a weapon. Either way they kept about their work!!

How many times in life are we so caught up in our work that we don't even see the attacks of the enemy coming? Share on X Or we are so focused on the attacks of the enemy that we don’t get any work done.

God has assignments for each of us and He goes before us so we need to trust Him to take care of us. He also reminds us in Ephesians 6 that we are to put on the Armor of God and be ready. 

So today as we go about our God given assignments let’s first put our trust in Him. It’s only because of Him that they are accomplished.

Then lets put on the full armor of God! As we pick up the sword of the spirit let’s get after the work He calls us to do!

Father God, we want to be about the assignments you have for each of us today. Help us to focus on the work you have for us while also being fully suited up and ready for any attacks from the enemy. Thank you that we can trust You to finish what You start in us. Help us to glorify and honor You with our time, talents and efforts today. Let it all be worship to You Father!! In Jesus name, amen.