Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 143: Your Assignment

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read Nehemiah 1-3.

Nehemiah hears about the exiles with Ezra returning to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. He also hears that they are facing great trials and are reproached by their neighbors.

Then he hears that the walls and gates of Jerusalem are burned and falling apart.

And Nehemiah grieves.

So he prays to God for favor, and asks the king for help.

The king sends him on his way with royal letters and supplies.

When Nehemiah arrives, he begins rebuilding the wall.

But he doesn't do it alone. Each man repairs a section of the wall. Some could repair only the sections in front of their house.

But that was okay.

Despite the mocking from the peoples around them, Nehemiah was confident that they could succeed with God on their side.

And he was right.

Each man had an assignment. And each man kept to his assignment.

And the walls and gates were rebuilt.

Just like these men, we each have an assignment. We all have a call that God has placed on our lives.

Sometimes, like Nehemiah, we have to wait a while before we are ready to take on that assignment. Sometimes, our whole lives prepare us for this assignment.

But when we get our assignment, we need to do it.

We can't be looking at someone else's assignment and coveting it, or trying to help (by sticking our noses where they don't belong).

We need to keep our eyes focused on the assignment God gives us. No matter how long it takes to complete, if we all just work on our own individual assignment, then we can help to further the Kingdom of God.

Not all of us will build the wall or fix the gates. Some of us may just bring the supplies.

Make sense? I hope so.

This struck me really hard today. I need to focus on my assignment.

Like we mentioned in my Bible study last night, we may know the "what," but not the "how," or the "when."

And that means we are waiting for our assignment. Sometimes that means we are waiting to be ready.

What is your assignment?

What are you doing to prepare for your assignment?

Are you waiting well, trusting God and preparing? Or are you complaining and doubting?

I need to work on waiting well. But I also need to prepare for the assignment God has given me. I don't know the "when," or the "how," but knowing the "what," means I can prepare myself.

How can you prepare yourself?

Read God's Word. Pray. Worship. Rejoice even when it's hard. Prepare your heart. Focus on Him.

And prepare practically for your assignment if you can. Don't worry too much about the financial aspect, but don't squander your fortunes either. Remember, God provides, but He also wants us to be wise with what we are given.

So, what is your assignment? How can you keep your focus on your assignment? How can you prepare practically?

I pray that God reveals your assignment to you, and that you ask Him for help in the preparation and the waiting.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Nehemiah 4-6.