Meditation from Nehemiah Chapter 13
God has called us with a Purpose & for His purpose.
Nehemiah establishes work for the priests & levies and just before doing that he says that he cleansed the people (13:30).
We who have been called to the holy & royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:5,9) are to be cleansed completely by His blood and through complete submission to His Lordship. Only then we can fulfill the Purpose for which we are called and like Nehemiah we will Provide everything for God's kingdom & His work (13:31).
From what do we need to be cleansed?
1. Ungodly Words & Intentions - Nehemiah says to the people to keep away from the Ammonite & Moabite because they hired Balaam to curse the people of God (13:1,2).
We need to cleanse ourselves from all kinds of unwholesome & ungodly words & intentions. We should only bless others and not curse. Our words should be seasoned with salt of grace (Col 4:6). Our intentions should be pure and pleasing unto God.
2. Discouragement & Selfishness - Tobiah attempted many times to hinder the work. He also used his influence to acquire a place in the temple and to use its provision because of his selfishness. (13:4-8).
We should cleanse ourselves from discouraging others, from hindering God's work and from using God's resources with selfish motives.
Even when we correct someone we need to exhort and encourage them.
3. Unfaithfulness - Nehemiah found that the allotted portions of the levites were not distributed and then he gives responsibility to a few people whom he found "faithful" (13:10-13).
We need to cleanse ourselves from all unfaithfulness; especially in handling God's money and resources. We cannot be lethargic.
How well we take care of the resources entrusted to us and the way we properly utilise time and fulfil responsibilities will demonstrate our faithfulness.
4. Unrest - Nehemiah exhorts people about the Sabbath and to not allow anything to compromise with the Sabbath (13:17).
Sabbath is a day of rest - to do away with all our unrest by being rest assured in God's presence. And to rest one's mind and body from all mundane works.
We need to cleanse ourselves from all unrest and should not leave the discipline of resting in God through personal "quiet time" and Sabbath worship.
5. Unequally yoked - Nehemiah warns the people to not get into marital relationship with unbelievers and to not defile oneself like Solomon (13:23-26).
The Bible warns not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers (2 Cor 6:14). And to keep one's marriage undefiled (Heb 13:4) meaning to not get into extra marital relationships.
We need to cleanse ourselves from all such relationships so that our relationship with God may be right.
These five areas are powerful enough to derail our life and to make us unfruitful. If we cleanse ourselves by God's word and His blood and are careful, we will be able to fulfil God's purpose and our whole life will be spent for God's kingdom and His glory.
Take time to introspect these and if you need to be cleansed, pray and ask forgiveness and take strong decision. Only one life and let it not go waste! Let it shine for God's glory!!
Have a blessed day!
