Nehemiah – Chapter 7

I gave my brother Hanani and Hananiah the governor of the castle charge over Jerusalem, for he was a more faithful and God-fearing man than many. Nehemiah 7:2 – While we certainly give Nehemiah applause for stepping up to the call God laid on his heart to rebuild the wall, if we were to rewind the story of Nehemiah who was the first person to begin to have a heart for this work to be done? Back in chapter 1 verse 2 we see Nehemiah’s brother Hanani, the same brother spoken about in our verse above, came to Nehemiah in Persia to tell him all about the state of Israel and the wall. It was Hanani’s brokenness for God’s people and Hanani’s determination that was the kindling to start a fire under Nehemiah to do the work that he did. If it wasn’t for Hanani’s heart for God and God’s people, then the wall may have not been rebuilt. Yet in God’s eyes is Hanani less than Nehemiah for Hanani wasn’t the one that built the wall? No, both men were faithful how God called them to be faithful and that pleased the Lord, and we see that to be true by the Lord commissioning Hanani to be the new leader of Jerusalem. We too can wonder if God is pleased with us when our work for Him appears less than, or at least different than other people’s work for Him. Maybe our work isn’t as glamourous or isn’t seen by the masses like other’s work so we begin to believe its not as valuable to the Lord. Yet if God called you to this work, then this is the work you are supposed to be doing, and when you faithful do it know it is pleasing to the Lord. You are not less than in God’s eyes because your calling is “less” in the world’s eyes. If God called you to it, it’s a great calling that will please Him greatly when done by you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3404

The city was wide and large, but the people within it were few, and no houses had been rebuilt. Nehemiah7:4 – It’s too easy isn’t it with chapters like this one to just skim over the names and numbers. I though keep having to remind myself that each name and each number represents someone who saw firsthand God move within there story. In fact as we read later, over 50,000 people were spoken about here and saw God move in their story. Yet, even with that large of number, our verse today says the numbers were few. Let’s remember that while God had moved there, He wasn’t done. He still had plans for more to enjoy the blessing and for them to continue to build and grow there. When we look at the blessings in our story know God isn’t done moving either. We can recount blessing after blessing, but God is still moving and calling us to continue to build and grow. Know God’s not done yet in your story. He has more plans and more mighty ways He is going to move within your story. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1289

The whole assembly together was 42,360, ⁶⁷besides their male and female servants, of whom there were 7,337. And they had 245 singers, male and female. ⁶⁸Their horses were 736, their mules 245,⁶⁹their camels 435, and their donkeys 6,720. Nehemiah 7:66-69 – Here we get the full number of those who were gathered together back in their homeland. No longer were they in exile, no longer was their city without a protective wall, and we learn in the following verses that supplies were being given in order to continue to rebuild the city even further. Yes, they started in exile and in a place they didn’t desire to be. Yes, along the journey there was opposition, fear, and struggle. Yet look at where God had taken them beyond all that. Together and in their homeland. Allow this this passage to encourage you if you’re still in a season of “exile.” If you’re in a place where you don’t long to be and you’re navigating things like opposition, fear, and uncertainty, see what God can do beyond that. As we faithfully follow His lead, we can look forward to the promise of His provision in and purpose behind what we are walking through today. This season of difficulty and uncertainty isn’t the end, especially not for a follower of Jesus. Find time in His word today, pray, and demonstrate love to the person in front of you as Jesus would. Remain faithful in the heavy days, and allow God to show you His ability to bring sense to everything. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2510