Thursday, September 29, 2022

REBUILDING THE LIVES OF OTHERS

“If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.”

Nehemiah 2:5b

Nehemiah could have asked the king anything he wanted at this point. The Lord had given him so much favor that the king was wiling to listen to what he had to say. Nehemiah could have said to him, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, please send my brother to the city in Judah to rebuild.” Nehemiah could have also asked that the king send servants to rebuild it. Nehemiah could have appointed anyone to lead these efforts.

Nehemiah, moved by what moves God, chose himself for the mission. He said, “…send me…” HE would rebuild it. Isn’t this reminiscent of our Lord and God who existed in the form of God but took on the form of a slave, emptying himself and becoming obedient to the point of death? Jesus declared in John 5:30 that he does nothing of his own initiative: He seeks the will of the one who sent him. Finally, Romans 15:1-3 states that we must all please our neighbor for good, building him up.

We have big shoes to fill, Jesus the Christ’s. We see these selfless attributes in Nehemiah, and we see generosity personified in Christ. Only the Holy Spirit can help us look beyond ourselves.

PRAYER: Lord, make my heart like Yours. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.