Day 19 | Friendships at work

Reflection

Nehemiah is living as a captive in a foreign land. Even in these circumstances, though, he's doing quite well for himself. He’s the cupbearer to the king – a prestigious and highly risky position. It’s all fun and games until someone tries to poison the king’s cup, which he has to sample first! He’s a trusted servant and has likely gained the respect and even the friendship of the king.

Nehemiah also cares deeply about his people, the Israelites. He loves them. He remains faithful to Israel, their homeland, to the remnant of God’s people in the land. So much so, that he risks everything by showing his emotion to the king. He’s honest with the king about what’s going on–something that takes a lot of trust!

He could easily be branded a traitor and lose his position, or worse, his life. Instead, his faithful service wins him the favour of the most powerful man around. Nehemiah asks for what he needs to rebuild his city, and the rest of the book is the story of his undistracted faithfulness to rebuilding the home of his people.

The friendship Nehemiah builds with the king is based on his faithful and diligent work. We all have opportunities to build friendships while we work, whether that work is paid or unpaid, inside or outside the home, and to be good friends to those we spend lots of time with.

By being faithful, honest, and undistracted friends, we can find purpose as we model something of the love of God to our friends. How will you demonstrate this today in your friendships?

Jesus, help me to be like Nehemiah, a faithful and undistracted friend to those I work with. Help me to see how you are working through me to demonstrate your love. Amen.