Those Who Willingly Moved Into the City

Scripture: Nehemiah 11:1-2

Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem, but the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while nine-tenths remained in the other cities. And the people blessed all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem.

Insights: This week we are going to be looking at the unknown heroes of Nehemiah eleven.  If it were not for these individuals the revival that occurred during Nehemiah’s time would not have happened.  In many ways verse two from today’s Scriptures gives us the reason for this great revival.  Before we look at that verse, however, let us look at verse one.  Ten percent of the people were forced to return to the city based on a lottery.  These individuals did not want to go but “lost” the raffle and had to go, from their perspective.  There are times people are coerced to obey and their involvement is plagued with sour faces and disgruntled expressions.  These individuals are not a pleasure to be around while the work is being accomplished.  Verse two, on the other hand, states that the people blessed all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem.  That word volunteered literally means to impel or to incite from within.  In other words, God stirred these people up from the inside out and they wanted, oh joyfully wanted, to obey the Lord and move into the city.  People who are moved on by the Lord and whole heartedly respond in a favorable manner are blessed.  They experience the joy of the Lord in their lives.  Their faces radiate the pleasure of one who is walking with the Lord faithfully.  Their countenance is lifted up and people want to be around such a person.  As we will see throughout this week, often times these volunteer people are never known by name or even remembered.  If, however, they had not volunteered, the results of glory would have diminished.  Beloved, we need to be such men and women who give willingly to the Lord’s desires.  We need to volunteer when He calls our name.  We sang a song yesterday that said, “I’ll say yes, Lord, yes to Your will and to Your way.  I’ll say yes, Lord, yes; I will trust You and obey.  When Your Spirit speaks to me, with my whole heart I’ll agree, and my answer will be yes, Lord, yes.”  Beloved, say, “Yes, Lord, yes!”

Questions:

1. Are you incited from within to be obedient to the Lord?
2. Or are you forced into action?

Prayer: Lord and Master, I desire to have a moldable and pliable heart.  I want You to stir my heart from within so that I willingly and whole heartedly volunteer to obey You.  May my obedience bring You glory. Amen.