Chapter-a-Day Nehemiah 11

The leaders of the people were already living in Jerusalem, so the rest of the people drew lots to get one out of ten to move to Jerusalem, the holy city, while the other nine remained in their towns. The people applauded those who voluntarily offered to live in Jerusalem. Nehemiah 11:1-2 (MSG)

A few years ago, our church planted a new church in a community almost 40 miles away. Several families sold their houses moved. Others committed to drive the 45 minutes each Sunday to help get the fledgling church started. Then, some of those families began to contemplate selling their houses and physically making the move.

I remembered this as I read today of all the people in Nehemiah's day who, after rebuilding the wall in Jerusalem, were committed to moving themselves and their families into the city to care for and defend it.

We live in an age when personal comfort is high on our priority lists and self sacrifice is given little or no regard. It leads me to wonder: What do I believe in, so strongly, that I would be willing to move myself and my family?

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and jay w

Comments

[Rainey]

Good thoughts ... I've wondered that myself.

Although, I never "planned" on moving to Iowa, so I guess God moves people in different ways.