11/24/25

Nehemiah 11:2 NASB95 And the people blessed all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem.

The Holy City had become such a dump that, even with its walls rebuilt, people were forced to live there. It had become a city of rubble. It had been deserted, and because it was recognized as God's city, the city of David, and a city of peace, it would be the primary target of any attack.

People would have to leave family and friends. They would have to possibly give up their land, just to live in a walled-up city of rubble, and risk being attacked and under siege.

Most people were unwilling to do this so they had a lottery system to force some to come live there.

However, there were a few who volunteered to take on the responsibility of living on the front lines. There were a few who were willing to volunteer to deal with the work of cleaning up the mess that was left behind. There were a few who willingly said I will deal with all of this because I will be closer to God.

This picture makes me think of the church.

It is God's place. It is to be the gathering of God's people, the Bride of Christ, and a place of peace. However, because of man, it is often a place without peace and littered with the rubble of broken families and disagreements. It is the front line and the place Satan loves to attack. Because of these things, many avoid it and refuse to join. They realize cleaning up the rubble of man is difficult work so they instead come to visit but don't want to live there.

What is missed is the fact that even though it is the front line and a place that is often filled with the rubble of man. Even though it is often lacking the peace of God because of man and his sin, it is still the place God chose to have his name proclaimed and to call home.

It was not easy living in Jerusalem in the time of Nehemiah. It is not easy being a part of the church today. However, as our scripture tells us, the people blessed all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem.

You won't be blessed outside the walls. We are called to fill the gap in the wall and live in the presence of God.

Why shouldn't we volunteer to be a part of the church? It is where we will be blessed!

Love Bro. Scott