Read: Nehemiah 4-6
Focus Verse: “But the earlier governors—those preceding me—placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that. Instead I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we did not acquire any land.” (Nehemiah 5:15-16).
Devotion: Nehemiah is focused on his work that God called him to do. He’s not looking to profit, he’s not worried about that. He claims the previous governors made the people—who were starving—give food and money to the governors. The governors already had plenty of food of their own, but this food tariff allowed them to have great feasts. Nehemiah, however, refuses to do the same knowing his people are starving. This is because he had reverence for God. How often do we worry if it’ll pay, or ‘what’s in it for me’? I want to be a leader like Nehemiah, whose focus is on the work God has called him to, not worried about his own personal gain.
Pray: LORD I know You will take care of and provide for me. let me be like Nehemiah and focus on Your call, not my own gain. Amen.
Additional Scripture: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)