Nehemiah 7:1 After the wall had been rebuilt and I had set the doors in place, the gatekeepers, the musicians and the Levites were appointed.
There are some chapters that I don’t think I would grasp at all without commentary. This is one. The commentary on this chapter brought up the earlier idea that God made us to thrive instead of merely survive. That thriving involves the ability to worship and praise God freely in thanksgiving.
Nehemiah 7:2 I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most people do.
Nehemiah’s focus from the beginning was completing the wall so that the Israelites could safely and with freedom worship God. And suddenly I’m thankful in an entirely new way. I am thankful that we don’t need walls and gates in order to safely worship. I’m thankful that we can gather together digitally with our fellow Christians from another denomination during a difficult time to worship. I’m thankful that we can work with a different denomination to help local victims of a flood.
Nehemiah 7:3a I said to them, “The gates of Jerusalem are not to be opened until the sun is hot….”
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You that a chapter I didn’t fully grasp led me to such overwhelming thankfulness for the freedom I enjoy to worship and praise You. Thank You for Your presence here, Immanuel, God with us. Thank You. Amen.
Nehemiah 7:3b “…While the gatekeepers are still on duty, have then shut the doors and bar them. Also appoint residents of Jerusalem as guards, some at their posts and some near their own houses.”
Have a blessed day.