Day 4 of 6 — Pioneering Faith. About 3 minutes.
Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king’s words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.
Nehemiah 2:18
Nehemiah had a burden, but he could not rebuild Jerusalem’s walls by himself.
So he invited other people into the work.
He did not stand before the people and say, watch me rebuild Jerusalem.
He said, let us build.
Then something wonderful happened.
The people answered, Let us rise up and build.
The burden God had placed in one man’s heart became a shared vision. That shared vision produced willing hands, and those willing hands went to work.
God never intended His work to be carried by one person.
That is especially true in the local church.
Ephesians 4:12 says that pastors and teachers are given for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.
The work of the ministry belongs to the body.
Some teach.
Some greet.
Some disciple.
Some give.
Some clean.
Some sing.
Some work with children.
Some encourage people who are struggling.
Some share the gospel.
Some serve in ways that almost nobody ever notices.
Every part matters.
A healthy church is not a room full of spectators watching a few people serve God. It is a body of believers recognizing that God has given each of them a part.
You may look at what somebody else is doing and think your part seems small.
But Nehemiah did not need everybody to do everything.
He needed people willing to strengthen their hands for the work in front of them.
The same is true today.
You do not have to do everything.
But you can do something.
There is a place where your time, gifts, experience, encouragement, or willingness can strengthen the work God is doing.
The question is not whether you can rebuild the entire wall.
The question is whether you are willing to pick up your part.
Let us rise up and build.
Growth principle: God’s work becomes stronger when every believer is willing to take his or her part.
Take it with you: Find one practical way to strengthen the work of your church today. Encourage someone, volunteer, help with a need, or ask where you can serve.
Pause and pray: Lord, thank You for allowing me to have a part in Your work. Show me where I can serve, and help me strengthen my hands for the work You have placed before me. Amen.
From Sunday’s message: Faith That Attempts Something Greater (Nehemiah 1-2)
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