It’s our duty

We all have a specific duty but we must FIRST get in alignment with Him in order for it to work properly and function accordingly. 

And at the same time some were appointed over the rooms of the storehouse for the offerings, the firstfruits, and the tithes, to gather into them from the fields of the cities the portions specified by the Law for the priests and Levites; for Judah rejoiced over the priests and Levites who ministered. Both the singers and the gatekeepers kept the charge of their God and the charge of the purification, according to the command of David and Solomon his son. Nehemiah 12:43-44

What has God called or appointed you to do? If you do not know; seek Him! It’s very important that we do the works of God Whom sent us and while it is today, for there is a night coming when no man shall work. It’s vital and we must treat it as so. We were all put here by God, to do the good works of God, and to advance His Kingdom. It’s a high call, we weren’t put here to just exist. We must first seek Him out, then listen and finally: obey! He has a job, a duty, a calling for each one of us. 

As we see in Nehemiah, they had finished the wall that they were to rebuild. God wills that we begin but also finish what we start. It was highest priority. They worked night and day with diligence and vigilance. They faced lots of opposition and so will we. But, that didn’t stop them and it must not stop us. The enemy comes to oppose those doing God’s work. That’s his job. Ours is to not stop.

So when they were finished, the people dedicated it to the Lord with great joy. We too must dedicate to God our work or else what is it for? What the enemy has once torn down or disassembled in our lives, we can rebuild and rededicate to God. If it’s not built for Him, then it’s for nought and in vain. We also need His blessing and protection, along with His provision.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

I believe that things were different this time, that the people had a greater appreciation and were more careful than they had been before. The same day as they were appointed, they also gave thanks! They let theirs voices be heard. They were not quiet! They offered great sacrifices and rejoiced at what God had done for them. They were dedicating themselves and their services to Him corporately and collectively. It’s very important that we sing, that we rejoice, and that we lift up our voices to be heard. “Look what the Lord has done.” It was a celebration as well as a dedication. So that not only God, but others will hear. We are to serve the Lord with gladness! 

We all have duties. It is all due unto Him. God’s work is a Holy work, a pure work not to be taken lightly or for granted. It is not to be tainted by sin. We all sin and fall short, and we must go through purification. God doesn’t use perfect people but willing people who are willing to be used. You don’t have to have everything right to start but you must fully dedicate your heart, purpose and ways as unto Him.

“And whatever we do, must be purified by the blood of sprinkling, and by the grace of the Holy Spirit, or it cannot be acceptable to God.” - Matthew Henry

Whatever we do; we must do it and dedicate it to God with joy. It’s all for Him. He is Holy, His things are holy, His work is holy an so ought we be! Fully dedicated to Him.

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:16

We must do whatever we do with our whole hearts and with gladness, or we are just going through the motions and it’s mundane. We won’t be difference makers this way if we are no different than anyone else. We are set apart for His use. That means we are to be different. When we are appointed and anointed by God, we should be making all the difference for Him. The main ingredients are heart and soul and gladness or it doesn’t taste sweet. We serve Him fully or we aren’t all in it. 

May we not worry about what others are or aren’t doing or even what they are called to do! Only to encourage one another and spur one another on in our gifts and towards good works. We are the body and unless each is doing his or her own part, it won’t function correctly or as intended. God grants us the grace and ability to do what we were called to do, not what we aren’t. We all have a part. Do your part! God has already done His. He created you. All men, women and children were created with purpose on purpose for a purpose; HIS! Comparison is a trap, the enemy is a thief and his tactics are lies. Don’t believe them.  

There’s an old song that says:

“Lord prepare me, To be a sanctuary

Pure and holy, Tried and true

And with thanksgiving, I'll be a living

Sanctuary, oh for You”

May that be the cry of our hearts, for God to cleanse us. To make us pure. To cleanse every part of us so that there is nothing we hide or hold back. He sees all. He knows all. But we must give all. He is faithful and just to forgive when we confess and He will cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness. We all have an obligation as believers to be correct representatives of Him.

Where there is sin, He does not abide. We ought to take the work of God seriously, not lightly or negligently. Every Word of God is truth. There is a standard and by it we must abide. None of this can we do without the Holy Spirits leading. So, unless God calls and He appoints and anoints, it makes no effect. Unless we obey and do willingly and accordingly, it’s just a call with no answer. We are accountable not only for what we do do, but also what we don’t. Remember the man with one talent in Matthew 25? Don’t neglect and ignore the call of God on your life. Today’s a new day and every single morning His mercies are new. Fresh. A brand new day. So, we can dedicate this day to Him. He is a God of second chances. Today is the day of salvation and today is the day that He has made. We can rejoice and be glad in it. It matters how we enter into each day. It’s not too late to turn around. 

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. Psalm 100:4

His Mercies are brand new every morning and great is His faithfulness. Each day is a new day to begin again. A blank slate. If He’s called you to sing, SING! If He’s called you to preach, PREACH! If He’s called you to intercede, INTERCEDE and give your self fully to it. Dedicate yourself unto Him and for His work. (Romans 12:6-18) That is our duty and highest priority above all else!! Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. No man putting his hand to the plow and turning back is fit for the kingdom of God. Eyes straight ahead. The way is narrow and tight but it leads right to Him. 

May our prayer be like that of David’s. He wasn’t perfect but his heart was. He wanted to stay right and in tune with God.

Psalm 51:

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

Create in me a CLEAN HEART , O God; and renew a RIGHT SPIRIT within me.

Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

Restore unto me the JOY OF THY SALVATION ; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

THEN will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

It’s hard to teach anyone when we are living the same old way. We need restoration and reviving and to be renewed again; daily! To dedicate our temples as living sacrifices unto Him. We all sin and we must acknowledge and confess it so that God can cleanse us. We can’t cleanse ourselves. Our honesty and willingness will cause Him to come in and clean up, clean house as only His Spirit can do. When we sin, it is only against God. It might be indirect but it directly effects our relationship with Him. It’s all to please God and lead sinners in. I want to stay pure, holy and clean. To be used; appointed and anointed by God. 

The devil wants to stop us with sin but Christ died to cleanse us from all that so we could again be made right with Him. Don’t let you regret stop you, instead let godly sorrow lead you to repentance. Let it propel you into Him. He’s got a good work for you and desires to finish it and bring it to completion until the day He returns back for you. 

There’s victory in repentance. That’s how we win. There’s satisfaction in dedication. What we build, we must maintain.

Song of the day: “Victory in Jesus”

We can’t do it without Him.