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ELEMENTS OF CONGREGATIONAL SERVICE (XV)
FRIDAY, MARCH 20
Nehemiah 11:25-36

Malachi 3:6-18

 

“…a book of remembrance

was written…”

 

ELEMENTS OF CONGREGATIONAL SERVICE (XV)
 
Not everyone would be accommodated in Jerusalem. The populating of Jerusalem did not amount to the forsaking of all other cities. Thus, there had to be a balance. The other cities of Judah were also part of the Land of Promise and, as such, were their possession and inheritance too. The second part of Nehemiah 11 gives the record of those who lived outside Jerusalem in “the villages, with their fields” (Neh 11:25). They too were listed, not by groups of people, but rather by direction in relation to Jerusalem with (i) Nehemiah 11:25-28 mentioning those who lived in the Negev South of Jerusalem, (ii) Nehemiah 11:29-30 mentioning those who lived in the Shephelah West of Jerusalem, and (iii) Nehemiah 11:31-36 mentioning those who lived in Benjamin North of Jerusalem.
 
The lesson that we must draw from these lists of names in Nehemiah 11 is that any sacrifice made and service rendered for the house of God and the good of God’s people are neither wasted nor forgotten. Oftentimes, we make a distinction between spiritual and secular life, and go on to make decisions that contradict one another, affecting both spiritual growth and service. The people who had committed themselves to living consecrated and separated lives considered not only their congregational lives to make this possible, but extended it to their daily lives including social choices (like marriage as in Nehemiah 10:30), and economic choices (like in purchases and debts as in Nehemiah 10:31) among others. Their spiritual growth and improvement would be affected by every choice they made and, as such, they willingly sacrificed and served. Through their service and sacrifice, they improved their fellowship with God and with one another. We also note that their interest and love for God, His city, His Word and His house were not forgotten. Their service and sacrifice were also accepted and were not forgotten. What is not included in these lists are those who did not sacrifice nor serve. Indeed, as Christ said, “whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it” (Mark 8:35).
 
THOUGHT: (Read 1 Samuel 2:30.)
PRAYER: Grant me the grace, contentment and joy in serving Thee, Father.

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