Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule:
Ezra 2; Nehemiah 7
Saturday: Ezra 3; Psalm 92, 126
Sunday: Daniel 10-11
Nehemiah 7:1-5
1 Now it came to pass, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed,
2 That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.
3 And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand by, let them shut the doors, and bar them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch, and every one to be over against his house.
4 Now the city was large and great: but the people were few therein, and the houses were not builded.
5 And my God put into mine heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I found a register of the genealogy of them which came up at the first, and found written therein,
This morning’s reading was similar to reading the credits after a movie. Sometimes I wonder how these names are important. Why did God put them into the canon of scripture? All I can say is that to God the details matter and people matter… You matter! He does not miss anything. He has a purpose for everything and He does not waste any opportunity.
We pick up the story as the walls are being finished and the city of Jerusalem is safe and secure. Nehemiah makes sure that he does his due diligence by placing faithful men to stand watch over the gate of the city. The qualifiers for this responsibility was he was faithful and feared God. Nehemiah saw these men as capable, dependable, and responsible. Does God see you that way? Would Nehemiah been able to count on you for this task? Can God count on you for the task He has given to you. I must confess… if I was going to sit around and read genealogies, I would have to know it was God who put it in my heart to do it. J The reading of the names does remind us that every person laboring in the will of God is important and God takes careful notes. May we remember today that our labor is not in vain in the Lord, (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Prayer Requests:
Personal
- Lord, please help me to never rate jobs or opportunities, but to simply see them all as privileges to participate in your labor force.
- Lord, please help me to be dependable as you entrust responsibilities to me.
- Lord, please help me to labor with joy, knowing you have a purpose for everything under heaven.
Political
- Representative Ben Frederick
- Representative LaTanya Garrett
- Representative Alex Garza