Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Fifty-Two Days in Nehemiah (Day 49)


Day 49

Now before this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the chambers of the house of our God, and who was related to Tobiah, prepared for Tobiah a large chamber where they had previously put the grain offering, the frankincense, the vessels, and the tithes of grain, wine and oil, which were given by commandment to the Levites, singers, and gatekeepers, and the contributions for the priests.
Nehemiah 13:4-5

One of the greatest challenges in life is to remain focused on the main things. There are a million lesser things that will vie for our attention and get us off course if we allow them to. Our greatest opportunity at a life of success is for us to remain focused on our God given purpose.

The book of Nehemiah has given us a number of opportunities to learn about focus, overcoming difficulties, facing challenges head on, and staying on task in spite of it all. Here we see it again. Eliashib oversees the Temple and its spaces. Instead of staying focused on the main goal of returning the people to the Lord, he is distracted by familial relationships. He appropriates space, that is intended for storing items related to worship, to a relative that needs a place to stay. Needless to say, this negatively impacts worship. Ultimately, Nehemiah will have to deal with this in order to get things back on track.

As you live your life, make a commitment to do the right thing, as opposed to doing the easy thing. We will be faced with many choices as we move along, and we must choose correctly. Know what God has called you to, both generally and specifically. Generally, we are all to be about the business of making disciples. Specifically, God has a call on your life and has gifted you I a certain way. His calling and giftedness will in inform you as to what you are to be committed to. Sometimes, being committed to this call will mean sacrifice. Be willing to make the tough choices in order to fulfill your destiny.

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