Better Is One Day In Your Courts

I may not know you very well, but I am confident I know at least one thing about you. Nehemiah 3 is not your favorite chapter in the Bible. Your lack of excitement for this portion of Scripture is not because you don’t believe it is the inspired and authoritative Word of God. No. Your ambivalent attitude about this text is simply owing to the fact that it is boring. Afterall, it is the laundry list record of all those who worked to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem in 445 B.C.: “This guy worked on this part of the wall...that family finished that section of wall...etc...etc...etc…” Inspired? Yes. Inspiring? Not!

I am no different than you. These lists in the Old Testament have not exactly motivated me to “attempt great things for God” nor have they been particularly instrumental in strengthening my faith. However, given that all Scripture is God-breathed and useful (2 Timothy 3:16-17), the problem is surely not with God’s Word but with me. In fact, in recent weeks God has given me a greater appreciation for texts like Nehemiah 3 by observing those who have faithfully worked to complete the improvement project on our church facility.

Let me illustrate…

On the 30th day of the sixth month in the year of our Lord 2013, the work began. Josh Campinelli generalled the project for Lamp Construction. Duane Pry was his onsite foreman who made sure the subs were there and the work continued to progress. Deanna Murphy of KDI Design was the interior design consultant who guided our selections for the decor to ensure we had a beautiful and unified look. Jay Trapp and his team from K & J Painting repaired walls and refreshed them with new coats of paint. Jack Hamilton and his crew of technicians from Esscoe installed the new audio and visual systems and worked late into the night making sure every wire was connected. Tim Beck of Associated Electric made sure their was power for everyone to get the job done. Tri-state Carpet supplied the flooring, and Reuben and Oscar installed it with great expertise. Jordan Ferrell applied his gifts of creativity to the mission statement sign design that Bob Baker’s team from Image Signs fabricated and installed. Tom Shumaker joyfully designed and crafted and re-designed a new bulletin that is simple, beautiful, and functional. The men of the church tore out carpet and moved office furniture. My boys moved more furniture and threw out trash. The women of the church cleaned and dusted and washed windows so that the accomplishments of all who worked could be enjoyed by all who enter the building. Donna and Reba remained flexible through it all and kept the church office running. Tim Holloway served tirelessly to make sure that every detail was accomplished with excellence. And on the 24th day of the eighth month the work was completed to the glory of God alone. And on the following Sunday morning at 10:00 am, God’s people at New Covenant Bible Church gathered to worship God and declare that being in his lovely presence is greater by far than occupying any building (Psalm 84).

Even though these words are not inspirational in the biblical sense, I hope they will inspire you to do three things. First, to express gratitude to God for the wonderful facility that he has provided for our church. Second, thank those involved in the improvement project for their service. And finally, occupy this building without it (or anything besides Christ) occupying your heart.

Gratefully yours,

Pastor Dave DeHaan

P.S. If you would like to watch an excellent sermon on Nehemiah 3 that exposes our idol of individualism, go to http://vimeo.com/66556909 and watch Andrew Wilson preach “Individualitis and the Dung Gate.” If nothing else, watch so you can hear the cool way Brits pronounce the word Nehemiah.