Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 3, Psalm 122

At last the wall was completed to half its height around the entire city, for the people had worked with enthusiasm. – Nehemiah 4:6

Under the leadership of Nehemiah, the people of God began to work together to rebuild the wall and to restore the city of Jerusalem. Various family groups from all of Israel were assigned sections of the wall so that work was being done on every side of the city.

WHEN GOD’S PEOPLE WORK TOGETHER IN OBEDIENCE TO GOD, THE IMPOSSIBLE IS ACCOMPLISHED.

Then Eliashib the high priest and the other priests started to rebuild at the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set up its doors, building the wall as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and the Tower of Hananel. People from the town of Jericho worked next to them, and beyond them was Zaccur son of Imri.

The Fish Gate was built by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid the beams, set up its doors, and installed its bolts and bars. Meremoth son of Uriah and grandson of Hakkoz repaired the next section of wall. Beside him were Meshullam son of Berekiah and grandson of Meshezabel, and then Zadok son of Baana. Next were the people from Tekoa, though their leaders refused to work with the construction supervisors.

The Old City Gate was repaired by Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah. They laid the beams, set up its doors, and installed its bolts and bars. Next to them were Melatiah from Gibeon, Jadon from Meronoth, people from Gibeon, and people from Mizpah, the headquarters of the governor of the province west of the Euphrates River. – Nehemiah 3:1-7

The third chapter of Nehemiah goes on to list all of the people who participated in the rebuilding of the wall. Each group had a specific talent or trade that they used for the good of the nation. The level of cooperation between the various leaders, tradesmen, and family groups showed what can be accomplished when God’s people work together in obedience to God’s call.

WHEN GOD’S PEOPLE RESPOND TO GOD’S CALL IN UNITY AND COOPERATION, THE WORK IS ACCOMPLISHED.

The Fountain Gate was repaired by Shallum son of Col-hozeh, the leader of the Mizpah district. He rebuilt it, roofed it, set up its doors, and installed its bolts and bars. Then he repaired the wall of the pool of Siloam near the king’s garden, and he rebuilt the wall as far as the stairs that descend from the City of David. Next to him was Nehemiah son of Azbuk, the leader of half the district of Beth-zur. He rebuilt the wall from a place across from the tombs of David’s family as far as the water reservoir and the House of the Warriors.

Next to him, repairs were made by a group of Levites working under the supervision of Rehum son of Bani. Then came Hashabiah, the leader of half the district of Keilah, who supervised the building of the wall on behalf of his own district. Next down the line were his countrymen led by Binnui son of Henadad, the leader of the other half of the district of Keilah. – Nehemiah 3:15-18

And next to him…and next to him…and next to him… This chapter goes on and on to describe the cooperation and various assignments that led to the steady progression of the wall. Each individual doing their part, each family using the skills of their trade, each neighborhood working together for the common good.

And so I ask myself this morning what level of cooperation the Lord is calling me to. What do I need to put aside or reconcile in order to be in full harmony with those on my right and those on my left? May God be given glory for all that occurs among and through the body of Christ, so that His kingdom will be advanced and so that the lost will be found.

I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
And now here we are,
standing inside your gates, O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is a well-built city;
its seamless walls cannot be breached. — Psalm 122:1-3