First Things First!

"After the wall had been rebuilt and I had set the doors in place, the gatekeepers and the singers and the Levites were appointed" (Nehemiah 7:1).

The project was not just the rebuilding of the walls alone, it dealt with restoring and renewing Jerusalem. The rebuilding of the walls was just one phase of the plan. Nehemiah then moved to restore an order that had been previously destroyed. I will talk more about this when he has Ezra read the Law. The point that I make is that the rebuilding of the walls of our lives is just one component in our transformation; we must look at the other dynamics of restoring and renewal.

Nehemiah established and appointed gatekeepers, singers and Levites, why was this important? The gatekeepers were those who would watch the gates as watchman and sentries. The gatekeepers were given the responsibility to ensure the safety of the City of Jerusalem. The gatekeeper is a metaphor for those who watch in prayer and intercede for us. The gatekeeper ensures that the enemy will not make it into the the city. Nehemiah demonstrates for us that it is important that we have those who are watchmen in our lives that cover and protect us in prayer. This is a integral part of rebuilding. restoring and renewing. When we have those interceding for us, they are literally making a "stand" for us, that God will bring forth his best and highest good within our lives. Singers were important as well. Singers were not just for entertainment, but the singers were to praise God. Nehemiah put into place that there would be singers who would minister in song of the goodness of God. This was more than just a physical project, he is clear that the major components are spiritual. The singer would sing praise. Praise is adoration for God, it was to honor, revere, respecting Him for all that He is. No project is ever complete without honoring the presence of God. What about our lives? Is there a set a side moment, place at the center of our lives and at the gateway of our souls that we honor and praise our Father? The Levites, were of the tribe of Levi and they represented the priest. They were the spiritual caretakers and pastors of the Children of Israel. Nehemiah knew the spiritual needs of the people were important so he placed men in charge to take care of those spiritual needs as they would arise. The Man of God is important in the equation of rebuilding, restoring and renewing, to ensure the peoples spiritual needs are met. Is your life submitted to a pastor that assist you in your spiritual needs?

The spiritual order is just as important as well will see in the following chapters as the physical rebuilding. It is not just about building up the walls for safety and protection, but you have to also look at what we have between the walls.

Living with Faith and Power and Creating a Phenomenal Life!

Bishop Keith Russell Lee
Hoffman Estates, IL and Los Angeles, CA

Spiritual Prayer Treatment

Father, I place you first in my life.
As I rebuild, restore and renew, I do not
leave you out of the equation.
In the Name of Jesus the Christ and Through His Power!
Amen! And So It Is!