Defender of the Faith

Now that Nehemiah has arrived in Jerusalem we begin to see his priorities. It is the defence of the city that he cares about so that the temple will be secure and the city can function safely. Those were his priorities. But are they ours? Do we care about the prospects of the church and Christ's kingdom? Or do other matters press in so much that we do not think about the things of Christ?

Nehemiah sets out a challenge to us in that he was ready to lose privileges. He was ready to meet with personal inconvenience in his defence of the city. Likewise he was prepared to meet with opposition and was even ready to die for the cause. What made it worthwhile to him? He was overpowered by the majesty of God. The Lord's concerns became his own concerns. How much do we share with him in this burden?