#soap # Nehemiah 11 ## Title: Doing Your Part ## Scripture: (Nehemiah 11:3) “These are the provincial leaders who settled in Jerusalem. (While other Israelites, the priests, the Levites, the temple attendants, and the sons of the servants of Solomon settled in the cities of Judah, each on his own property in their cities,” (NET) ## Observation: This chapter is full of many people who were all moving and serving for a united cause. The work of reestablishing Jerusalem was too big for one person. Nehemiah could not have done it alone. Even with the help of the priest Ezra, they still were no match for the task. It is one thing to build the wall and another to settle the city, defend it, and establish local commerce again. It took everyone being willing to do their part of the larger vision so the vision could happen. Sometimes we get discouraged because we feel like we’re not special or not a “big deal.” I wonder if this is because we forget what is special and what is supposed to be the big deal. The “special” thing is the overall work of the Lord and our Lord is the big deal. Being part of a spiritual community that is “making much of Jesus” is what makes us more special than we can imagine. What is even more amazing is we are engaged in something eternal. ## Application: Never think of serving God as pointless. We are engaged in the “big deal.” ## Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for including us in Your Kingdom.