Nehemiah 11

Now the leaders of the people dwelt at Jerusalem; the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to dwell in Jerusalem, the holy city, and nine-tenths were to dwell in other cities. And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.

(Neh 11:1-2)

Nehemiah was looking for a “few good men”. People who would be willing to take the risks involved in settling in Jerusalem itself, and continue the work of bringing that city back to its original state… a glorious city on a hill whose light could not be hidden. These men and women settling Jerusalem were putting themselves on the FRONT LINES; and they were doing it because God had called them to do it.

It’s interesting to me; I talk a lot about wanting to be on the “FRONT LINES” of what God is doing, but if I am honest, I often find myself on the “SIDELINES”. I think the reason for this is that the frontlines in my imagination look nothing like the real frontlines in this battle for God’s Kingdom that we are all engaged in. The frontlines in my imagination are glorious… they always look like a great scene from an epic war film; and in the scene we are “taking the hill for Jesus”. The problem is this; there is a lot of battle that must go on before we ever get to that place! Are you willing to lay it all on the line for Jesus, even when there is NO GLORY INVOLVED? If you’re not, you’ll find yourself living life on the sidelines. Hear the voice of God today, respond to his call, and allow him to place you into battle. Don’t worry about where you are; just do the work of a good soldier. Don’t get distracted, do your work, give it your all. Make yourself available to the Lord, just like these men and women in Israel did!