Nehemiah_7

 

Scripture

Nehemiah 7:1-2

After the wall had been rebuilt and I had set the doors in place, the gatekeepers, the musicians and the Levites were appointed. ² I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most people do. 

Observation

Tbh (to be honest), I read through today’s entire passage…a few times…and was a bit at a loss of what to write; but the second half of verse two continued to strike me.As I dug into the commentary, I continued to enjoy what I found.So, here we go…but do understand that a lot of what is written here are not my words. <3

PS Don’t you just love how God takes you on a little journey from time to time? J

Understanding

Taken from https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/nehemiah-7/, the bold for emphasis is mine.

(1-2) The appointment of Hanani and Hananiah.

Then it was, when the wall was built and I had hung the doors, when the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed, that I gave the charge of Jerusalem to my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the leader of the citadel, for he was a faithful man and feared God more than many.

1.Then it was, when the wall was built: Everything was in order – both practically (the wall… I hung the doors… the gatekeepers) and spiritually (the singers… the Levites); the work was completed and set right.

a.The singers and the Levites were there to lead the people in worship; the walls were not rebuilt so the people of Jerusalem could look at nice walls. They were rebuilt so they could worship God with greater glory and freedom than ever before.

b.Every victory in our life should take us deeper into praise. If we are not praising God more, and more deeply, with each passing year, are we really having much victory? Maybe we are making it through tough times – but coming out more bitter and sour than ever. That is not God’s victory. His victory leads to a sweeter spirit and to deeper praise.

2.I gave the charge of Jerusalem: Nehemiah wasn’t in this for political glory. He had done a work, and now he could let it go. God would still use him in Jerusalem, but he knew it wasn’t his place to stay in authority.

3.Hanani: This was Nehemiah’s brother, was the one who first told him about the sad state of affairs in Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1:2). His initiative and concern made him well qualified to govern.

4.He was a faithful man and feared God more than many: This described Hananiah, who was the co-leader of Jerusalem. This is what God needs in a man or a woman to use them greatly.

a.Many folks who aren’t all that gifted – they can’t sing, they can’t remember a bunch of Bible verses, they don’t have a knack for teaching, and so forth – can still be used greatly of God if they are faithful and fear God. On the other hand, many terribly gifted people may always be frustrated in serving God if they are not faithful and fearing God.

Life Application

 

Now we are back to my words. JMy takeaways from what I emphasized above.

 

-It’s amazing what God can (and will) do with a faithful heart…doesn’t matter how prosperous, doesn’t matter how gifted.A faithful heart is what God is looking for, what he can embolden, gift, prosper, resource and use.

 

MAY WE LIVE IN FAITH, BUILD OUR FAITH, STEP OUT IN FAITH.

 

-Sometimes there are practical things that must be done to better support a spiritual need/desire…but the focus must not linger away to long from the spiritual need/desire.[It’s not about the walls, it’s about the worship inside of the walls.]

 

KEEP FIRST THINGS FIRST…AND RECOGNIZE THAT THE FIRST THINGS AREN’T ALWAYS THE MOST PRACTICAL THINGS.

 

-Every victory in our life should take us deeper into praise, deeper into obedience, deeper into love, deeper into alignment with the will of God.That is what true victory looks like – becoming more Christ like.

 

LIVE IN VICTORY…AND TAKE TIME TO EXAMINE THOSE VICTORIES, REMEMBERING THAT THE VICTORY IS NEVER OURS ALONE…NOT OURS ALONE TO CLAIM, NOT OURS ALONE TO USE.HOW IS GOOD MOVING IN THIS VICTORY?

 

-Just because God calls us somewhere, doesn’t necessarily mean that’s where he intends for us to stay. We serve an unchanging, but always moving God.

 

MAY WE KEEP UP WITH THE MOVE OF GOD…AND BE EQUALLY WILLING TO MOVE BOLDLY MOVE FORWARD AND LET GO.

 

-God’s not looking for the most able bodied, the most gifted, the most…well, he’s not looking for the most ANYTHING.He’s only looking for faithful hearts that are willing to serve Him.He can fill in the rest.

 

SEE #1 [MAY WE LIVE IN FAITH, BUILD OUR FAITH, STEP OUT IN FAITH.

 

Now, let’s go out and put this madness in action…

 

Rei

 

PS Go love on somebody! <3

 

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