NEHEMIAH 4:14

Scriptures affirm that God is into family and desires to bless our families. Right from the start, He unequivocally declared to Abraham “. . . and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). The blessing is not just for me but it is extended to my entire family. He wants the entire household saved and covered by His expansive grace.

However, on the other hand we perceive that the Satanic intent is to curse every family of the earth and to have us in perpetual turmoil and disarray. Let us never forget the cautionary words of Christ in reference to the chief evil One. He cautioned “The thief cometh not, but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy . . .” (John 10:10). His aim remains unchanging – to destroy us and our families.

This is one of the reasons for me writing these few lines this week, to put the church on the alert again concerning the intent of the evil One where our families are concerned. The enemy powers of darkness are on a mission, not just to destabilize the family, but to completely destroy the family – yours and mine. He remains on a mission not just to wreck this generation, but to completely pulverize the next. By God’s grace we remain just as committed to fight for our families, knowing it’s God’s will for every last one of them to be saved and fully reconciled to God our Savior.

Instead of loving each other and getting along , the enemy wants us to despise and distrust each other. He desires constantly to transform the family unit into a serious war zone, where grievous words and insults are easily traded and trafficked. Many times family events which start out peacefully and calmly, suddenly erupt, causing us to wonder where did that come from. We are often blindsided by the enemy who specializes in hostility, bitterness and intense animosity. If the enemy can transform brother and sister into enemies, then undoubtedly he knows he has scored big time. May I repeat here, the devil is after our families. Our mission is to ensure that he is not allowed to undo and rip apart our biological families and our sacred brotherhood in Christ. We resolutely do like what Nehemiah instructs “. . . be not afraid of them: remember the Lord that is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives and your houses” (Nehemiah 4:14).

It remains for me one of the saddest passages of Scripture “And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against his brother and slew him” (Genesis 4:8). The enemy caused such animosity between Ishmael and Isaac (Genesis 21:9). There was also such scandal and hatred between the twin-brothers, Jacob and Esau (Genesis 27:41). He wreaked havoc in Eli’s family (1Samuel 3:13). Samuel was no exception. He wrecked David’s home. In David’s house there was rape, incest, murder, animosity, rivalry, jealousy, hatred, rebellion (11 Samuel 3). The devil’s aim is to create so much havoc and disunity in the family that we become dysfunctional, uncommunicative and estranged from each other. He attacks our unity and fellowship, making it difficult for us to get along,

Today, we counter-attack. We are dead-set committed to secure and protect our families from the wiles of the enemy. We cover our families with the blood of Jesus. We speak peace and harmony over our families. We refuse to devour and destroy each other. We vow to pray for each other daily. We acknowledge that we are our brother’s keeper. We plain refuse to allow the enemy to come in and place a wedge between us. We quickly, freely forgive each other. We will not be torn apart and divided. For us, family is sacred!