A Mind to Work
The Church has been allotted tasks to accomplish on behalf of God. He doesn’t need our help, but we need something to be engaged in to keep our lives and purposes focused. Within church-speak we often refer to it as “doing the Work.” Although various groups have somewhat different definitions as to what that means, we can all accept that preaching the gospel and feeding the sheep constitute the two main areas.
We have often seen a parallel between the work done during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah when Cyrus, king of Persia, issued a decree to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem and now. God put it in Nehemiah’s heart to firstly rebuild the walls surrounding the city. In spite of some opposition, the people rallied behind Nehemiah in support of the project.
Aspects of the people’s participation in that project are worthy of consideration in light of the work we have to do today.
“So built we the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work” (Nehemiah 4:6).
In this simple assessment of the project, we see a few important characteristics.
Firstly, the people had a spirit of willingness to engage in the job. As one commentary on the Old Testament puts it: “Their heart was engaged in it, and they went about it cheerfully and vigorously”. In the past it was often the case that members felt that they were to support a Work that was being done from headquarters. There was an element of personal involvement missing. Paying tithes needs to be separated from the Work itself. We pay our tithe to God because it is God’s. It is not a voluntary sacrifice on our part to contribute to the Work of the Church. The Church may use the tithes in such a manner, but our paying God His tithe should be seen as a separate issue.
King David exemplified the attitude we need to embrace. “Moreover, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, I have given to the house of my God …” 1 Chronicles 29:3). It involves what is important to us. “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17).
Secondly, by all accounts, their work was a quality effort. In their minds it was not a temporary “stop-gap” fix. These walls were part of the overall restoration of the house of God and were seen in that light. “The works of the LORD are great, studied by all who have pleasure in them. All His work is honorable and glorious, and His righteousness endures forever” (Psalm 111:2-3).
Thirdly, their work was accomplished successfully under an atmosphere of hostility. Sanballat and his associates did everything to dissuade the workers. But they set their hearts on the greater goal and did not weaken their efforts.
The prophet Habakkuk brought a message based around the just living by faith, not by sight. “O Lord, I have heard your speech and was afraid; O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years! In the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy” (Habakkuk 3:2).
Over this weekend of July 27-28, We will be conducting far ranging meetings to further the Work that God has given us to do. We would appreciate your prayers for the guidance and wisdom we need to address these issues. Pray that we will collectively have “a mind to work.”
Brian Orchard
