August 17
Nehemiah 12:27-13:31; 1 Corinthians 11:1-16; Psalm 35:1-16; Proverbs 21:17-18
Work is never fully completed. Think about our mission, to be disciples who make disciples. We are never finished being a disciple of Jesus Christ and the work of making disciples will not end until Christ returns. This is true in every area of life. No matter how much we have accomplished there is always more to do.
Nehemiah models this reality for us. He celebrates the work of completing the walls of Jerusalem in chapter 12 and then returns to Babylon. This monumental task of building the walls of the city takes up the majority of the book, so we might think that his work is done. Yet in chapter 13 he comes back to Jerusalem and though the walls are still functioning there is still work to be done. He had to confront those in charge of the temple because they had allowed their work to be tainted by Eliashib. He also had to confront the officials because they had failed to pay the Levites, had to confront traders who sold on the Sabbath, and confronted those who had married people they were not supposed to. Nehemiah had finished one job but many more were still left.
As you think about all the tasks still in front of you today or in life, you can become exhausted or excited. You can view it as an opportunity or a frustration. We can often feel overwhelmed by all that is broken in our lives, our families, our city, and the world, and feel like we can’t make any difference. Yet God calls us to be a part of his work to be disciples who make disciples. We cannot make the ultimate difference but God working through us can change the world. So let us see all that God has prepared for us and be excited for what lies ahead.
Father God, thank you that you want to use me for your purposes and glory. May your Spirit make obvious the things you have prepared for me and give me the courage to serve you in those ways. Help me not to get tired but to finish my life well. Amen.
Question of the day: What is something you feel God calling you to do that you have been putting off? How can you start that task today?
Work is never fully completed. Think about our mission, to be disciples who make disciples. We are never finished being a disciple of Jesus Christ and the work of making disciples will not end until Christ returns. This is true in every area of life. No matter how much we have accomplished there is always more to do.
Nehemiah models this reality for us. He celebrates the work of completing the walls of Jerusalem in chapter 12 and then returns to Babylon. This monumental task of building the walls of the city takes up the majority of the book, so we might think that his work is done. Yet in chapter 13 he comes back to Jerusalem and though the walls are still functioning there is still work to be done. He had to confront those in charge of the temple because they had allowed their work to be tainted by Eliashib. He also had to confront the officials because they had failed to pay the Levites, had to confront traders who sold on the Sabbath, and confronted those who had married people they were not supposed to. Nehemiah had finished one job but many more were still left.
As you think about all the tasks still in front of you today or in life, you can become exhausted or excited. You can view it as an opportunity or a frustration. We can often feel overwhelmed by all that is broken in our lives, our families, our city, and the world, and feel like we can’t make any difference. Yet God calls us to be a part of his work to be disciples who make disciples. We cannot make the ultimate difference but God working through us can change the world. So let us see all that God has prepared for us and be excited for what lies ahead.
Father God, thank you that you want to use me for your purposes and glory. May your Spirit make obvious the things you have prepared for me and give me the courage to serve you in those ways. Help me not to get tired but to finish my life well. Amen.
Question of the day: What is something you feel God calling you to do that you have been putting off? How can you start that task today?
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