Work Together With One Heart And Mind
(Chow Yuen Peng, Pastoral Team Member, Pastoral Care; Girls’ Brigade)
READ:
Nehemiah 3 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
Nehemiah 3 is all about work – how individuals pitched in and did the work together, coordinated and led by Nehemiah. The work is described in reference to the gates of the wall. The gates were the critical entry and exit points to the city, and the places most likely to see an enemy attack.
We can learn some spiritual illustrations to encourage us in our own personal lives and ministries.
- It pleases God to see His people working together in one accord, with one heart, with one mind. God will put us into situations where we must work together, and learn how to lead, how to follow, and how to work together with one heart and mind.
- The wall was continuous. Any gap would compromise the entire structure. Therefore, each and every part along the wall was important – even if someone did not think so. The wall could never be strong if someone tore down a section of it.
- The people weren’t going to let the bad example of their nobles, who did no work (Nehemiah 3:5), keep them from working above and beyond the call of duty.
In a spiritual sense, our hard work – or lack of it – is a reflection on our spiritual “family”. Every Christian should be a good reflection of their spiritual family. A mind to work, a heart to pray and an eye to watch – we need them all; great faith and great diligence.
APPLY
Nehemiah, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, detailed the different gates. These gates picture important aspects of the lives of believers. Beginning with salvation at the sheep gate, Nehemiah moved on to service at the fish gate. Then he proceeded to the old gate, which speaks of God’s ways, followed by humility at the valley gate, cleansing at the dung gate, renewing of the Holy Spirit at the fountain gate, and on to the water gate which speaks of God’s Word. The horse gate reminds us of the spiritual warfare that believers must engage in. The east gate speaks of Christ’s coming whilst the mikphad gate speaks of the judgment that will follow.
In light of this pandemic, may we arise and go forth, being restored and redeemed by God, to be faithful in our walk with Him and be His channel of Hope and Comfort for the weak, the unwell and the vulnerable. May we grow as disciples of Christ in all aspects of our spiritual lives – in prayers, labour, patience, faith, humility and communion with God.
DO
By God’s grace and mercy, may I enter through each of these gates for my spiritual growth. To press on to maturity in my Christian life and the application of the 3H: Head, Heart and Hands, which I may not gain by knowledge alone, but by service and a life of faith.
PRAY
Almighty God, the sacrifice of your son Jesus Christ is a precious gift that I don’t deserve or could never have earned. Thank you for your grace and mercy and love. Thank you for the freedom I now have in you. I desire to develop a strong relationship with you and to be your faithful disciple. Help me O Lord to submit fully to your Lordship in my life. Grant me the strength to resist the desire of my flesh. Help me to deny myself, take up my cross daily, by following Christ and making disciples. Amen.
