Today’s devotion comes from Nehemiah chapter 3. Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Nehemiah%203&version=NASB1995
I quote only the verses.
“Then Eliashib the high priest arose with his brothers the priests and built the Sheep Gate; they consecrated it and hung its doors. They consecrated the wall to the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel. Next to him the men of Jericho built, and next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built.
Now the sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate; they laid its beams and hung its doors with its bolts and bars. Next to them Meremoth the son of Uriah the son of Hakkoz made repairs. And next to him Meshullam the son of Berechiah the son of Meshezabel made repairs. And next to him Zadok the son of Baana also made repairs. Moreover, next to him the Tekoites made repairs, but their nobles did not support the work of their masters.
… Next to them Rephaiah the son of Hur, the official of half the district of Jerusalem, made repairs. Next to them Jedaiah the son of Harumaph made repairs opposite his house. And next to him Hattush the son of Hashabneiah made repairs. Malchijah the son of Harim and Hasshub the son of Pahath-moab repaired another section and the Tower of Furnaces. Next to him Shallum the son of Hallohesh, the official of half the district of Jerusalem, made repairs, he and his daughters.
…
Above the Horse Gate the priests carried out repairs, each in front of his house. After them Zadok the son of Immer carried out repairs in front of his house. And after him Shemaiah the son of Shecaniah, the keeper of the East Gate, carried out repairs. After him Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another section. After him Meshullam the son of Berechiah carried out repairs in front of his own quarters. …” Nehemiah 3:1-5 and 9-12 and 28-30.
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In sharp contrast to unbelievers which we covered in the last chapter and yesterday’s devotion who had “no portion, right or memorial in Jerusalem” Nehemiah 2:20, the believers in today’s Scripture worked side-by-side to build up the walls of Jerusalem, which points us to consider the role of believers in building up the kingdom of God.
These three sections of a rather large chapter leads us first to briefly mention three minor points before we consider the main point. First, there will be those who do not support the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged. The work will still get done. Second, we should not be irritated by the mention of so many sons, there were daughters who also did the work. And, like today, many times the names of daughters are not mentioned. God sees their work and will honor and reward them. Third, sometimes, maybe often, our work is right in front of our own house. Do the work where God places you.
The main point for this devotion is to encourage and build each other up.
“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:9.
“6 Each one helps his neighbor
And says to his brother, “Be strong!”
7 So the craftsman encourages the smelter,
And he who smooths metal with the hammer encourages him who beats the anvil,
Saying of the soldering, “It is good”;
And he fastens it with nails,
So that it will not totter.” Isaiah 41:6-7.
“3 Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble.
4 Say to those with anxious heart,
“Take courage, fear not.
Behold, your God will come with vengeance;
The recompense of God will come,
But He will save you.” Isaiah 35:3-4.
“What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.” 1 Corinthians 3:5-8.
“For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.” 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10.
“Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 