“I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for My Name.” Nehemiah 1:9 NIV
If Nehemiah had lacked a vision of the LORD’s purpose, when he heard about the conditions in Jerusalem he would have said, “Why be bothered about Jerusalem? We live in Babylon and have lived here for over 100 years. What’s the big deal about Jerusalem anyway? Why not just settle down and worship the LORD here?” But Nehemiah knew something about what the LORD wanted to do with His people. Babylon would not do. His purpose involved His name, or His glory being made known in Jerusalem. The Lord’s purpose in this age involves the church. Jesus said, “I will build My church” (Matthew 16:18). Revelation 5:9 says that Jesus purchased for God with His blood, people from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. But why does He want to save people from around the globe? Be careful how you answer! We live in such a self-centred age that we easily can fall into the error of thinking that God’s purpose is to save people because He loves them and wants them to be happy. But that is a self-centred goal. The LORD’s purpose is not humanity-centred; it is centred around Him. The Lord does love people, and He wants them to be happy, but not as the end in itself. Saving people is a means toward His purpose, but it is not the end of His purpose. As Paul makes clear in Ephesians 1-3, The Lord’s purpose involves building His church for the sake of His name or His glory.
PRAYER THOUGHT
Lord, give us fresh vision of Your purpose for our lives.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord, give us a fresh vision of Your purposes for our lives and Your church, so we will no longer be focussed on self. AMEN
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)
Exodus 23:10-13
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