Category: Godly living

Nehemiah Devotions Chapter 3, Day 5

Friday Rebuild (all materials present in the rubble for the task)

Text: The Fish Gate was built by the sons of Hassenaah. (Nehemiah 3:1, NLT)

According to Warren Wiersbe’s study on Nehemiah, “Be Determined,” the word built is used six times in Nehemiah 3 and it means rebuilt. For this rebuilding no new material was needed. Instead the workers found the material in the rubble around them (Be Determined, p. 39).

How often do we put off doing the work while we wait for what we think we need: supplies, programs, people, funds?

Perhaps we could begin to see progress if we would use what is at our hand.

WP Neh 3-5 what's in your hand

When God wanted to use Moses, the reluctant servant came up with all kinds of excuses. God asked him what was in his hand. It was his staff, until he threw it on the ground, and then it became a serpent.

David defeated Goliath with the smooth stones he had in his pocket.

Jesus fed the multitude with the lunch of a child, five small rolls and two sardines.

What has he given you to use? What’s in your hand?

WP Neh 3-5 use what God has given

Nehemiah Devotions Chapter 3, Day 4

Thursday How will you be remembered?

Text: Next were the people from Tekoa, though their leaders refused to work with the construction supervisors. (Nehemiah 3:5, NLT)

WP Neh 3-4 refusing to work

As you read through chapter three you will notice that people fall into one of two categories: those who worked or those who didn’t. The leaders of the people from Tekoa refused to work.

It says they refused to work with the construction supervisors. We’re not told if there was a problem or disagreement. We’re left to wonder and decide.

I think it’s to the people’s credit, however, that whatever the leaders’ reasons were for not working might have been, the people went to work anyway.

Can you hear them? “We’ll be out here getting the work done when you folks get things worked out.”

WP Neh 3-4 arguing

The way these leaders hung back from the work reminds me of the women in the Philippian church, Euodia and Syntyche, who will forever be remembered for their inability to get along.

God has called us to join him in his work. How will we be remembered? As those who joined in and got things done or as ones who refused to get along?

WP Neh 3-4 working together

Nehemiah Devotions Chapter 3, Day 3

Wednesday Everybody did their part

Text: Read verses 3-15 and note the different groups and gates.

WP Neh 3-3 stone soup

When I was a child I heard Captain Kangaroo read the book, “Stone Soup.” The story became one of my favorites. The message of working together became an integral part of who I am. Nothing gets accomplished when we hoard what we have. Progress is made when we add what we have and who we are to the mix.

Reading through today’s scripture I see this happening.

But not only are the people mentioned building, they are joining. They are working with each other and they are making sure their portions are connecting.

WP Neh 3-3 gift

Today let’s consider what gifts God has given us and how we will share it.

And in case you doubt you have one, Peter assures us that’s not true: God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. (1Peter 4:10, NLT)

Nehemiah Devotions Chapter 3, Day 1

Monday Concept of work
Text: Read through chapter 3 and notice the different references to work.

WP Neh 3-1 work

In “A Passion for Faithfulness,” J.I. Packer helps us understand the biblical perspective of work: “When the Bible talks about work it has in view much more than what we do for money or gain, what we call our job or our employment. In the Bible, work as such means any exertion of effort that aims at producing a new state of affairs. (p. 73)”

WP Neh 3-1 back to work

It seems appropriate to think about work on a Monday, the day most people ‘get back to it.’ People head into Mondays with a mixed bag of feelings. Some love their jobs, while others struggle to persevere.

What about the spiritual work we have to do? What job has God given you to do?

In John’s gospel we are told that God is at work and he invites us to join him.

Pray today for eyes to see where God is at work in the world around you and ask how you can join him.

WP Neh 3-1 work as if

Nehemiah Devotions Chapter 2, Day 7

Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king.
They replied at once, “Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!” So they began the good work. (Nehemiah 2:18, NLT)

Nehemiah had been in town for a few days. The people had seen him walk around. Some had probably bent his ear about the deplorable situation.

WP Neh 2 vision

And now it was time to let them know what God had in mind.

The response was overwhelming. Vision is contagious. The people were moved and committed.

Nehemiah laid out. He showed them God could be trusted because he is God and he will keep his promises.

It’s time to step up, catch God’s vision, and commit to his plan.

His Word tells us that we will do even greater things than have already been recorded.

What will be your part in rebuilding and building for the Kingdom?

WP Neh 2 do your part

Nehemiah Devotions Chapter 2, Day 6

Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king.
They replied at once, “Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!” So they began the good work. (Nehemiah 2:18, NLT)

Nehemiah had been in town for a few days. The people had seen him walk around. Some had probably bent his ear about the deplorable situation.

WP Neh 2-6 God has a plan

And now it was time to let them know what God had in mind.

The response was overwhelming. Vision is contagious. The people were moved and committed.

Nehemiah laid out. He showed them God could be trusted because he is God and he will keep his promises.

It’s time to step up, catch God’s vision, and commit to his plan.

His Word tells us that we will do even greater things than have already been recorded.

What will be your part in rebuilding and building for the Kingdom?

WP Neh 2-6 catch the vision

Nehemiah Devotion Chapter 2, Day 5

I had not told anyone about the plans God had put in my heart for Jerusalem.
(Nehemiah 2:12)

WP Neh Dev 2-5 walk at night

Nehemiah got to town and one might imagine him jumping in and getting to work. But that’s not what happened. Nehemiah takes his time. He walks around the rubble. And he tells no one about the plan God laid on his heart.

He spent time with the people. He probably heard their discouraging stories. He saw the overwhelming nature of the task.

God needed Nehemiah to take all of that in. It’s one thing to draw up a plan from a distance, but quite another to see what needs to be done close up and personally.

There were times in Jesus’ ministry when even though he knew the heart of God and what needed to be done, he pulled away from the crowd to be alone with his Father.

The more time I spend with Nehemiah, the more I see a man who leaned hard on God.

How’s your “leaning” going?

Nehemiah Devotions Chapter 2, Day 3

The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?” (Nehemiah 2:4, NLT)

WP Neh Devo time passing

Six months. One hundred eighty days, give or take a few, Nehemiah opened his eyes and wondered if today would be the day.

He trusted God each to be laying the ground work. And each day he prayed to be ready.

And the time had arrived.

Nehemiah opened his mouth and shared his heart with the king and queen. He laid it out. He said needed. He had prayed for favor and kindness.

And that’s exactly what he got.

I can’t begin to what had been going on in the heart and mind of the king. Was he just having a day of benevolence? In the six months that Nehemiah waited had something happened to endear Nehemiah to the king making the favor expressed as natural as the sun coming up in the morning?

I don’t know. I am just convinced that Nehemiah was seeing God’s greatness unfold before his eyes. If God could do that then there’s nothing he can’t be trusted with.

Nehemiah knew that. Do we?

WP Neh Dev 2-3 Prov 3 5-6

Nehemiah Devotions: Chapter 2, Day 2

Then I was terrified, but I replied. (Nehemiah 2:2b-3a, NLT)

WP Neh Dev 2-2 emotions

We learned at the end of the first chapter Nehemiah was the cupbearer to the king. It was an important position. He was a public figure and was expected to present himself accordingly. He took his responsibility seriously and consistently presented himself appropriately. Until now.

The burden he carried had become so great that the weight began to show on his countenance. And the king noticed.

Would this be interpreted as insubordination, or dissatisfaction with his job? Neither would be acceptable to the king.

WP Neh Dev 2-2 fear

At this point Nehemiah stood at a threshold. His response would leave him comfortable in the lifestyle he was accustomed to or throw him into the unknown as he followed God’s plan.

Nehemiah demonstrates great courage, and teaches us that courage doesn’t mean we won’t fear. We read here that Nehemiah was terrified. But in spite of his fear, his faith in the one who called him was enough to enable him to stand up and proceed across the threshold into the unknown.

Has God called you to step forward in faith? Are you afraid? Find your courage and confidence in the one who calls you.

Claim Paul’s words as you keep to the journey: And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (Philippians 1:6, NLT)

WP Neh Dev 2-2 Phil 1-6

Nehemiah Devotions: Chapter 2, Day 1

WP Neh Devo time passing
Monday
Text: Early the following spring, in the month of Nisan, during the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, I was serving the king his wine. (Nehemiah 2:1, NLT)

We start our thoughts this week with Nehemiah roughly six months later. Did you catch that? Chapter one begins in late autumn and chapter picks back up in early spring.

What’s up with that? The need was great. Nehemiah’s response had been intense. I would have expected God to move immediately. Wouldn’t you?

But the success Nehemiah prayed for, the favor of the king, needed time to unfold.

God works that way. God doesn’t always answer the way we want or expect. We need to trust that God is working even when we can’t, don’t, or won’t see it. God is never late.

Have you experienced a time when God answered your prayer with an instant “yes”? How about a definite “no”? Can you trust him to be working when there is not instant answer?

SP Neh 2 waiting with clock

Second only to suffering, waiting may be the greatest teacher and trainer in godliness, maturity, and genuine spirituality that most of us ever encounter. ~Richard Hendrix