Bible In One Year-Day 183 (Tuesday, July 02, 2013)

Commentary: Nehemiah7-9. Nehemiah completed the building of the walls and the gates and appointed officials. He went further to hand over the completed work to faithful workers.

Nehemiah 7:2 “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.”

Nehemiah did not choose his brother, Hanani, the charge because of blood relationship but because he possessed two leadership characteristics on his part and towards God. The fear of God in him was rated as “above many” and this is the most important as Jesus said in Luke16:10-12.

To chose leaders and workers in God’s project, we must consider the fear of God in such person and not closeness to us or otherwise. Godfather(ism) is taking over ministries nowadays. We scarcely seek God’s face before we chose priests and other leaders. We go by smiles on the faces and frequent appearances. Moses asked God whom He wanted to succeed him despite the fact that Joshua was very close and loyal to him.

2 Timothy 2:2 “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”

Jesus prayed before choosing His disciples even Judas Iscariot. I used to think that Jesus made a mistake for choosing Judas until I came across this verses;

John 6:64 “But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.”

John 13:18 “I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.”

The choice of Judas Iscariot was to fulfill the scripture. Therefore, it was in order.

When we commit the work of God into the hand of biblical “faithful men” the pulpit cannot be void of fire and mushroom pulpits would be wiped off. One of the first pulpits was Ezra’s (Neh8:4) and the fire that came out of it pierced the hearts of men and they began to weep;

Nehemiah 8:8-9 “So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.”

The word read was not to please men or make them comfortable but to transform and reform them which were evident in their countenance;

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

The pulpit is about two things; the Priest and the Spirit (John6:63). If the priest is right, the message will carry the transforming messages because he wouldn’t speak of himself but what the Spirit says. Neh9:30 talks about God’s Spirit in His prophets; this is what speaks through their mouth. The Spirit makes the priest right and qualified to speak His word. God’s word is more central in the life of God’s people and the paramount demand is obedience. Unfortunately, people are encouraged to sacrifice more to obeying the word of God. Anyone who wants to succeed must take God’s word more important than any other thing. Through God’s word, you could quickly realize if you are going astray; this is the essence of edifying one another. There is wisdom, joy, perfection and light in it.

Psalms 119:9 BETH. “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.”

Psalms 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” 

Let us seek for the old path where we could find rest. Let us listen to the trumpet’s sound, wherewith we could escape the calamity to come. Our reading for today is Nehemiah10-13. Keep the fire burning and alive.

Pastor Supo Abayode

+1-302-230-6792

Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries

Delaware, USA