Friday January 22, 2021

Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 3:1-12

 After him Uzziel son of Harhaiah, the goldsmith, made repairs, and next to him Hananiah son of the perfumer made repairs. They restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall.

Nehemiah 3:8

Reflection: God qualifies us to do His Work. Under the direction of Nehemiah, the Israelites are led back to Jerusalem to repair the damaged city walls, which had been left in disrepair for years after the siege of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The people called to work are of different social status, professional ability, and capability. None mentioned in Nehemiah’s account are deemed as skilled in construction. But what unites them is their surrendered availability to the work of God. Priests, goldsmiths, perfumers; men and women all join together to complete God’s work has set before them.

God imparts to us gifts and talents to put forth for His Kingdom Work, but these things by themselves are not what qualify us to do specific tasks for God. It is arrogant to entitle ourselves to certain tasks because of what we think we can or should do, or even desire to do. God is the One Who appoints us to specific work according to His Sovereignty. And He moves through us to serve Him in ways that are both familiar and unfamiliar. Often, God uses us in situations where we feel completely incompetent. In times like these, we must be resigned to obey where He has led us. For He is the One Who by His grace qualifies us for any task He sets before us. And He is the One Who provides what is needed outside of what we possess ourselves – be it resource, skill, or strength. The people of God may not have been skilled builders, but they possessed with them the direction and support of the LORD. How available do we make ourselves to Gods work? How trusting are we of Him to go where He is leading?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, it is a blessing to be a part of Your Family and a servant of You. Thank You for the life You’ve saved me from through Your Son Jesus Christ. Thank You for the life You’ve saved me for by Your brilliant and merciful design. I know it is only by Your grace that I have been called to Your Holy Work, and only by Your patience that I am used by You. As I seek You each day, Lord, please teach me how to be available to Your leading. Please show me how to live a life surrendered to Your Sovereign Call. In the Name of Your Son, Jesus Christ my Lord, I pray, AMEN.

Thru the Bible in a year (credit: Biblestudytools.com): Revelation 2; Nehemiah 3; Psalm 97