Take Care of It!

“Before this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the chambers of the house of our God, and who was related to Tobiah, prepared for Tobiah a large chamber where they had previously put the grain offering, frankincense, vessels, and tithes of grain, wine, and oil, which were given by commandment to the Levites, singers, and gatekeepers, and the contributions for the priests. While this was taking place, I was not in Jerusalem… I then discovered the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah, preparing for him a chamber in the courts of the house of God. And I was very angry, and I threw all the household furniture of Tobiah out of the chamber. Then I gave orders, and they cleansed the chambers, and I brought back there the vessels of the house of God, with the grain offering and the frankincense.

“I also found out that the portions of the Levites had not been given to them, so that the Levites and the singers, who did the work, had fled each to his field.  So I confronted the officials and said, ‘Why is the house of God forsaken?’ And I gathered them together and set them in their stations.  Then all Judah brought the tithe of the grain, wine, and oil into the storehouses… 

“In those days I saw in Judah people treading winepresses on the Sabbath, and bringing in heaps of grain and loading them on donkeys, and also wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds of loads, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. And I warned them on the day when they sold food. Tyrians who lived in the city brought in fish and goods and sold them on the Sabbath to the people of Judah, in Jerusalem itself! Then I confronted the nobles of Judah and said, ‘What is this evil thing that you are doing, profaning the Sabbath day?'” Nehemiah 13:4-6a,7-12,15-17

Nehemiah was a man of earnestness, thoughtfulness, and action. What he learned and observed he assessed with measured consideration and prayer. Then, as the Lord directed and without caprice or temper, he took care of each incident and challenge with thoroughness. (Nehemiah 2:11-18; 5:6-7)

What situations or assignments has God presented me with that I’ve neglected to act on? Have I allowed ease and sloth to keep me from moving forward with Him and others? Have I procrastinated so long with certain issues that I wrongly no longer deem them important? What written note, task, or conversation have I put off? Would I accept the hard work it takes to make changes and begin to serve, commend, fix, stretch to make a difference for God’s kingdom?

Are there areas where I thoughtlessly jump in without aligning my reactions with God’s word? Am I diligent to seek His best way of resolving issues or dealing with sin?

When we take care of what God has put before us, we honor Him in obedience, set an example for others, and free the way for Him to assign us more. We clear our consciences and pathways of all that distracts and hold us back so we can progress in faith and help others do the same. (Luke 12:48b)

Lord, keep me pressing on to glorify You by taking care of Your every request.