2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
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CALLED TO SERVE (II)
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13
Nehemiah 3:1-5
1 Corinthians 3:9-15
“For we are labourers
together with God.”
CALLED TO SERVE (II)
The call to serve brought success when it was met by a commitment to work. The people who rose to serve did so with commitment and this was seen in those who seized the opportunity to serve even if the area of service was not their area of expertise.
Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded (Neh 3:1a). Nehemiah 3:1 illustrates both the inspiration of Nehemiah’s appeal to the children of Israel, as well as their commitment and faith in their response to the appeal to work for God. The call was to consider the need (the present state of Jerusalem and the reproach it brought) and to rise up in faith to do something about it. They were to trust that God’s servants would rise up and work, and that God would prosper the work. Eliashib and the priests presented to us the spirit with which service is to be done. They rose up to a work that was not part of their calling. They were set apart for the work of the Temple, the sacrifices and the offerings. Yet, when the work at hand was one of building the Jerusalem walls, they willingly did the part assigned to them.
They sanctified it, and set up the doors of it… they sanctified it… unto the tower of Hananeel (Neh 3:1b). In rising up to build, the priests joined in the faith and declaration made in Nehemiah 2:20. They declared their faith in the God of heaven who would prosper them and their work, showing that they were God’s servants. They also carried out God’s calling for them and sanctified the work they were doing. Though the work at hand was physical in nature, it was spiritual in both approach and intent. It was undertaken for religious reasons. Jerusalem was a city in which God had chosen to put His name, it was the city of God.
THOUGHT: Participation is necessary for Christian service.
PRAYER: Father, help me to trust in Thy help and do my best in Thy service.