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Grace & peace to you today, my sister, in the name of our Lord!

Have you ever read the book of Nehemiah? Written about 450 years before Jesus was born, it tells of the history of a Jew, Nehemiah, who rallied the scattered Jews to rebuild the broken down walls of a ruined Jerusalem.

At the time, Nehemiah himself had a very comfortable and trusted position with the king of Persia, but when he heard how Jerusalem had been left desolate, and the Jews scattered, he petitioned his king to let him go to help his people. He also cried out to God and repented of his and his peoples’ unfaithfulness. (a key concept!)

So, he left his safe and comfortable living to do God’s work of rebuilding the walls and repopulating the Holy City. It was hard, dangerous work, but he wasn’t working alone! Whether they were big, burly beam layers or goldsmiths or perfume makers, the people labored together to rebuild the wall and hang the massive gates!

Thinking of you, my sister, there are particular verses in that passage that jump out at me! As Nehemiah describes how the great walls were rebuilt and the gates hung, their success is made evident by a simple repeated phrase….”next to them….and next to them….and next to them…”. They worked side by side; encouraging, helping and protecting one another.

Nehemiah’s mission began with seeking God’s will. Then, the peoples’ combined effort led to the scattered ones being brought back home. While working together for a common goal, they were protected from their adversaries. Together they finished the task! Worship was restored and God caused them to prosper!

What a beautiful picture of what God will accomplish in our own lives! No matter our ‘personality type’, qualifications or stage of life, if we are willing to seek God’s best for us, we can learn from working with each other and grow in the Lord together! If we are willing to leave our comfort zones, if we are willing to humble ourselves, if we dare to rebuild what the world is tearing down; we don’t do it alone, but next to each other! 

We worship the One who enables us to do just that, next to each other! 

Why not reach out to that sister this week and see what you can accomplish in the Lord together? Let us move into all that our Father has for us, next to each other! 

I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength (because He is right next to me) ~Phil. 4:13

Next to Him, your sister, Celeste