Christian Devotional – January 9, 2020

Day 9 – It starts with the leaders. Nehemiah shared God’s plan and the people got busy, starting with the high priest. Read Nehemiah 3:1-2.

Then Eliashib the high priest arose with his brothers the priests and built the Sheep Gate; they consecrated it and hung its doors. They consecrated the wall to the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel. Next to him the men of Jericho built, and next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built.
Nehemiah 3:1‭-‬2 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/neh.3.1-2.NASB

The high priest led the way. Nehemiah shared God’s vision with the people. He shared examples of how God had already paved the way for this to happen. They had some opposition and Nehemiah responded. Now, we see the high priest listed as the very first one who stepped up, got involved, and did the work. He and his brothers are listed as the first ones to have rebuilt a section of wall and a gate.

Why is this important? People in positions of leadership and authority have the responsibility to step out first to follow God. They are to see what God is doing and lead others to do it, but the only way to do that is by actually doing the work. Eliashib got out and physically helped build that wall. He didn’t wait for others to do it. He didn’t wait to see if Nehemiah had more to say about it. He recognized the truth in what Nehemiah shared and then he got busy.

What are we doing to lead others to follow God? There is always someone looking up to us, waiting to see if we will be obedient. Are we setting the example of what obedience to God looks like? Do we get busy doing the work, or are we busy waiting for others to do the work for us? What do we need to go get accomplished for God today?