CODE VII 

I will put the welfare of those closest to me before my own welfare. 

BIBLE READING: Nehemiah 2: 17-18 

Then I said to them, 'You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and it's gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.' I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, 'Let us start rebuilding.' So they began this good work. 

DEVOTIONAL: 

Burning with a passion and a broken heart for people Nehemiah acts. With the blessing of the king he returns to Jerusalem with soldiers and materials to begin the rebuilding process. (A move that could have cost him his life for simply speaking to the king!) He informs no one why he is there and spends time surveying the damaged walls and the task that lies ahead at night time. He then rises to give the rallying call that we've just read above. 

Immediately after announcing the task to the people they begin to face opposition - wouldn't you know it. They even criticised Nehemiah publicly but watch what Nehemiah didn't do: 

• He didn't mourn over it
• He didn't sit down to try and reason with them 
• He didn't let it distract from the job being done 

What he did do however was take it to God, each time it happened he prayed to God and left it with Him, then immediately he got back to work. Take it to God and get back to work. 

The work under Nehemiah's leadership would involve everyone - no ifs or buts - everyone. From the priests to the tradesmen, from the managing director to the bin man - everyone. Nehemiah led the people with a heart full of passion and determination. As they moved into action it wasn't long before Nehemiah's status grew, along with his income. He was now seen as a man of importance and position. 

Yet his heart for the people never changed. In Nehemiah chapter 5 we see the concern and compassion Nehemiah shows for the people. The leaders before him had been a burden on the people forcing them into slavery and poverty to provide for their rich lifestyle. But so moved was Nehemiah for the people that he rescued them all from slavery and poverty and even fed over 150 people a day at his own table. 

As Christian men we can learn a lot from the life of Nehemiah, his genuine care and interest in the welfare of others, and the fact that he was not a man of purely words but action as well! 

QUESTIONS: 

• Have you responded to the needs of others around you before? 
• What was that like, who and when? 
• How can we be intentional about seeing and meeting the needs of those around us? 
• How can we make time for this to happen? 

PRAYER: 

Father I see that Nehemiah showed concern for those in need and acted on his convictions. Help me keep my eyes open for those who need my help in Jesus name. Amen