ARE YOU WORN OUT? – Nehemiah 5:14

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ARE YOU WORN OUT? – Nehemiah 5:14

Do you feel like you’ve been taken advantage of, burning the candles at both ends, like there’s no end to the demands and responsibilities in your life?

Have you been treated harshly?

Nehemiah faced this as he was leading the people in rebuilding the wall. In Nehemiah Chapter 5 he recalled how the former governors had placed a heavy demand on the people by taxing them. He choose not to, even though it was in his legal right to do so.

He had as his primary concern the task and burden that God had placed on his heart to do, rebuild the wall.

I love the compassion and gentle care he had towards the people of Israel. And I love how we can apply this to ourselves today.

It seems the world is lacking gentleness these days. Instead we’re surrounded by harsh people doing harsh things.

This harshness is reflected in how we treat God’s creation. But the new paradigm I’d like to challenge you with today is:

If you deplete it, fill it back up, if you break it, fix it, if you drop it, pick it up, if you make a mess, clean it up.

Leave things BETTER than how you found them.

Don’t cause the problem, be the solution.

Don’t wear things out. Be gentle.

Because the way we approach stewarding God’s creation and our personal resources spills over into how we treat others.

Philippians 4:4 says, “Let your gentleness be evident to all.”

Gentleness means considerate, kind, & tender, not severe or harsh.

That was Nehemiah’s approach to the people of Israel. He used his own resources to supply his needs. He came expecting nothing from anyone other than the help to do what God had laid on his heart. He was gentle to the people placed in his care.

You see, God hasn’t placed people in your life for you to see what you can get out of them, but for what you can deposit into them.

God’s reward is guaranteed. Hebrews 6:10, “God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.”

So, if you’re exhausted and weary from the harshness of this world, and if you feel depleted because of it, come to Jesus and be refreshed and find rest.

Jesus extends this beautiful, gentle invitation in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle (there’s that word again) and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls….”

Be still in His presence. Be at peace & let Him quiet your soul with His gentle love, and in Him find your rest.