Shalom,
Proverbs 25:4-5:
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth [the material for] a vessel for the silversmith [to work up]. 5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation).
When the dross is melted out of the silver, you have some of the shiniest material to work with to make beautiful jewelry! If those in leadership don't use the same kind of care and diligence to remove wicked and ungodly people from their presence, then there decisions will be tainted with ungodliness and unrighteousness! Do YOU know of any leaders today who have surrounded themselves with ungodly and unrighteous people? The result is ungodly and unrighteous choices and decisions that DO NOT represent God's plan for this nation! What do WE do? PRAY!!!
Ephesians 3:4-6 reveals the "mystery" that Paul has been speaking of:
4 When you read this you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ. 5 [This mystery] was never disclosed to human beings in past generations as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles (consecrated messengers) and prophets by the Holy Spirit. 6 [It is this:] that the Gentiles are now to be fellow heirs [with the Jews], members of the same body and joint partakers [sharing] in the same divine promise in Christ through [their acceptance of] the glad tidings (the Gospel).
So what was the mystery? The mystery was that Gentile believers in Jesus and Jewish believers in Jesus are now ONE family! In JESUS there is now no difference that should separate us! We are heirs together! Not one replacing the other, but TOGETHER! Today there are as many Jews who don't agree as there are Christians who think they are the Jewish replacement! NOT SO! There IS a growing awareness in the Body of Christ of just how important Israel and the Jewish people are in God's eyes and in His plan! Agree with God, no matter what ANYONE else thinks about it! If they disagree with God and His Word - THEY'RE WRONG!!! It's as simple as that! AMEN!
When reading in Nehemiah 1-3, I noticed two very important things about Nehemiah that reveal a great deal about his character. First of all, he loved his nation and his people. He didn't just SAY it, but he proved it by his concern - Nehemiah 1:2:
2 Hanani, one of my kinsmen, came with certain men from Judah, and I asked them about the surviving Jews who had escaped exile, and about Jerusalem.
He inquired about them because he cared and wanted to know! Then, when the report was not so good, he did this in verse 4:
4 When I heard this, I sat down and wept and mourned for days and fasted and prayed [constantly] before the God of heaven,
He cared enough to ask and then he cared enough to pray! But that's not all! Verses 5-6:
5 And I said, O Lord God of heaven, the great and terrible God, Who keeps covenant, loving-kindness, and mercy for those who love Him and keep His commandments, 6 Let Your ear now be attentive and Your eyes open to listen to the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You day and night for the Israelites, Your servants, confessing the sins of the Israelites which we have sinned against You. Yes, I and my father's house have sinned.
This was NOT the first time that Nehemiah had prayed! He had been praying night and day! How much do YOU pray over the things you need or are responsible for? Not only did Nehemiah care enough to ask and to pray, he also WORKED! He oversaw the building project and did it well! Most of Nehemiah 3 is about who worked and where they worked! Nehemiah, by the leading of the LORD, organized the work forces so that everything went smoothly! We are all part of the same family (as believers) so we should all be able to work together, each doing OUR part! Check out Ephesians 4 to see the New Covenant example of this! Now find out where YOU belong and get to it! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
