The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Nehemiah 3:23,
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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"Beyond them [the priests], Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs in front of their house; and next to them, Azariah son of Maaseiah, the son of Ananiah, made repairs beside his house."
Chapter three provides a listing of the repairs to the various walls and gates surrounding Jerusalem. The city, with the temple and its walls and gates was destroyed by the Babylonians years earlier, with a remnant of Jews being taken into captivity at the time.
Now, the survivors of the remnant were being allowed to return to Jerusalem. The temple was rebuilt and this chapter in Nehemiah chronicles the repairs to the walls and gates.
I note the reconstruction of the walls and gates were accomplished by many people. I read of 44-45 or so different people/groups of people who rebuilt different parts of the walls and gates.
In a very loose way, I am reminded that when it comes to building the things of God, it often takes many to accomplish what it is God desires. Today he is building his kingdom and all of us have a part to play, just as the returning Jews had with the walls and gates of Jerusalem.
"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." Romans 12:6-8. God equips us all to participate in the building of his kingdom and has provided us, through his Spirit, unique abilities to do our part.
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10. All of us have been gifted with something to build God's kingdom with and he has an expectation that we will use those gifts, slide into the harness, and do our part, just as the returnees did their part in rebuilding Jerusalem's walls and gates.
In 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, Paul tells us how God equips us to do our part: "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good."
"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." Romans 12:6-8. God equips us all to participate in the building of his kingdom and has provided us, through his Spirit, unique abilities to do our part.
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10. All of us have been gifted with something to build God's kingdom with and he has an expectation that we will use those gifts, slide into the harness, and do our part, just as the returnees did their part in rebuilding Jerusalem's walls and gates.
In 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, Paul tells us how God equips us to do our part: "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good."
Today, God is busy building his kingdom. He uses all who have come to him to bring others in and to provide for the building up of us all.
So... what part do I play? What is my assignment? What is it God is asking me to accomplish with what he has provided me with?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
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