Devotional Guide, Today’s Reading Tuesday, 11th June, 2024

Comment: True to St. Paul’s epistle on spiritual gifts, they are diverse, but all under the direction of the Holy Spirit. To Nehemiah was bestowed the gift of administration which he utilized to the fullest, bringing numerous reforms during his reign as governor over Judah. They include, revival of the observance of the Sabbath law, termination of usury among the Jewish elites, insistence on making the Jewish language the official medium of communication, reducing the burden borne by the people, rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem, and above all, the revival of the celebration of God’s ordained feast, the Feast of Tabernacles, after many years of non-observance.

Having continued in such good works, he had cause to make the prayer conveyed in the above text. Indeed, the feeling of accomplishment or satisfaction, aside blessing from above, is one benefit of serving God heartily. St. Paul states, “But let everyman prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.” – Galatians 6:4.