Re-Settling the Land
Daily Old Testament Reading: Nehemiah 11-13
Daily Focus Passage: Nehemiah 11-13
The people of God resettled the land as they completed the walls of Jerusalem. The resettling of the land occurred under the re-establishment of living for the Lord. The people resettled the land with a commitment to serve the Lord, work together in the ministry, dedicate the wall, and seek to live in obedience. Today, moments occur when we must "resettle" our land. The resettling of land today occurs in a spiritual sense as we seek to serve the Lord, work together in ministry, dedicate our wall, and seek to live faithfully.
COMMIT TO SERVE THE LORD
The people took the initiative to re-establish the Levitical priest and their service to the Lord. This task established the desire to serve the Lord and carry out his ways and will for the people. The setting aside of the priest marks a commitment for the people to serve the Lord according to the ways the Lord established for the people. The commitment of the people to establish the priest included the commitment to provide for them. A commitment to serve the Lord includes setting people apart for the service of the Lord and the willingness to live sacrificially to serve the Lord. We must develop such an attitude.
COMMIT TO WORKING TOGETHER IN THE MINISTRY
The people knew the priest could not perform all the work of the Lord alone. They established others who would come alongside the priest and help them carry out the work of the Lord. This establishment followed the wisdom of Moses' father-in-law when he called Moses to trust others to help him in the ministry. Thus, in the re-establishment of the land, the people knew that the work of the Lord must occur by working together. The work of the Lord continues to be a together work. We must strive to encourage others and support one another in the work of the cross.
DEDICATE YOUR WALL
The people dedicated the wall to the Lord. This dedication acknowledged the work of the Lord through the people. The dedication recognized the accomplishment of the Lord. When the people dedicated their work to the Lord, they acknowledged that their work and their lives were committed and dedicated to serving and living for him. They allowed the wall to be the evidence of God's greatness. We might not have a physical wall that we dedicate to the Lord. Instead, we must dedicate our "wall" to the Lord, who acknowledges his greatness and goodness. We must dedicate whatever acknowledges his work in our lives and our trust in him.
SEEK TO LIVE IN FAITHFULNESS
Once the people established the priest, committed to supporting the ministry, and dedicated the wall, they continued the reforms that would shape the nation. The constant reforms served as the tool to guide the people to remain faithful to the Lord. These reforms encouraged the people to live for the Lord and to seek his truth. We must strive to live in faithfulness. We must remain engaged in the Word of God and allow the Word to create the reforms needed to live in faith.
As we enter the New Year, we have an excellent opportunity to form the resolve to resettle our land. We must seek to carry out the Lord's ministry before us. We must strive to work together in the church. We must dedicate the self to the Lord. We must live in faithfulness. Will you re-establish your land in 2024?
