I think that Nehemiah 3 is one of the great passages in the Bible. It tells – by name – those who rebuilt the gates and walls of Jerusalem. For me it shows how God brings to the forefront those who are doing the “grunt” work. There were all sorts of “important” people in the neighborhood at that time – but it is the workers who are mentioned by name! This chapter illustrates what Jesus said in the Newer Testament – the first shall be last and the last shall be first. Nehemiah is a great book on leadership – examples of godly leadership abound – but I think my favorite one occurs in chapter 6, verse 14 of Nehemiah when he asks the LORD to remember those who had plotted against him. Nehemiah did not take action against those who were trying to bring about his downfall – he did what God told him to do – he rebuilt the wall. He left the plotters in God’s hands. A powerful lesson of how we are to behave when others come against us. We need to remember that the battle belongs to the LORD. We are to simply obey Him.
Luke 23 is the account of Jesus’ crucifixion. But in the middle of this telling of death is the telling of life. What a wonderful expression of the relentless love that Jesus has for us that even in the middle of His own death, He reached out to the thief on the cross and saved him. There is no limit to God’s mercy!
This week’s readings:
Sonday, Oct 15…....Nehemiah 13, Malachi 1-2, Act 4
Monday, Oct 16…... Mal 304, psalm 148; Acts 5
Tuesday, Oct 17….. Job 1-2; Acts 6-7
Wed. Oct 18…...… Job 3-4; Acts 8-9
Thurs, Oct 19…..…Job 5; Psalm 108; Acts 10-11
Friday, Oct 20…… Job 6-8; Acts 12
Sat. Oct 21……...…Job 9-10;Acts 13-14