- After him the Tekoites repaired another section opposite the great projecting tower as far as the wall of Ophel. Nehemiah 3:27 – While reading this chapter it can be easy to skim through all the difficult names, see the common theme of each of these names. They all got to work. While having different giftings, we had people from high priests to jewelry makers to servants all coming together to get the work of the Lord done. I suppose though we should note that not everyone “got to work.” We see in verse 5 that the nobles of the Tokites would not stoop so low as everyone else to do their share of the rebuild. While their nobels wouldn’t work, we see the people of the Tokites refusing to follow that example and not only did their share but as we see in verse 27 they completed a second section as well. In our story its frustrating when the people we expected to do their part don’t. Maybe they are the leader and authority figure, and they should be setting the example of getting things done, but instead the example they are setting is incompetence and laziness. In that space we must understand that we don’t have to follow such a lead. We can step up still, we can still get done our part, and we can even move onto more work. Yet why would we do that when our earthly authorities aren’t? Because we serve God first, and He set the example of going above and beyond the call of duty. Our efforts on earth aren’t to match that of the leaders who might not even do the bare minimum, our example to follow is Christ. So pick up the cross, carry it, complete the work He has called you to, then move onto the next. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3400
- Next to them Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, goldsmiths, repaired. Next to him Hananiah, one of the perfumers, repaired, and they restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall. Nehemiah 3:8 – God may call you to serve in ways that are out of your expertise. Here we have goldsmiths and perfumers repairing the wall. This chapter is filled with a recounting of people who served to rebuild the wall around the city and we see it wasn’t just master wall builders doing the job. Priests, merchants, and city leaders were doing their part. While it’s important to know what are gifts are, let’s not be like the nobles in verse 5 who wouldn’t stoop to serve their Lord. God may want to use your talents in ways you never expected them to be used. We must keep in mind that our talents are not given to us to glorify ourselves, but to glorify the God who gave them to us. Be open to however God wants to use you. It may end up being far different than your plans, but it will be far more fulfilling than your plans. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1285
- Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set its doors. They consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Tower of Hananel. Nehemiah 3:1 – One of the commentaries I read said this concerning our passage, “Minsters should be foremost in every good work, animating others by their example as well as their doctrine” (Benson). I just love the example being set here by the high priest. Someone we may imagine would scoff at the idea of manual labor and serving, as being too clean for such a task, is instead the first to get up and start building. What’s so beautiful is then the passages that follow for they are filled with all those who stood up after him to also start the rebuild of the walls and gates. Never underestimate the example you can set. Maybe you’re the first to step up at work and display your Christian values there. Maybe you’re the first in your home to make Jesus a priority on your calendar. Maybe you’re the first on at your school to bring your bible and read it during breaks. While you may be the first, never underestimate the power of the example you’re setting. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2506
Daily DEVO 