Nehemiah 11:2

"And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem."

the city needed to be filled to survive. They brought the people into the city. But there was still not enough to occupy the place. The need of the city was to have enough to run the day to day business of such a place. For what good is a city if no people inhabit it? Nehemiah set before the people to choose by casting lots for 1 out of 10 to move into the city. Those that were chosen to move into the city are found here in this chapter. and the people blessed all the men - those that had been chosen were praised by the others; I wonder if heaven will not be such? That the saints and angels will bless those that enter in. For those that had been vile and evil but heard the Master say, "Come unto Me", they obeyed and followed. enter in to the new city and the new heaven by the blood of Chirst. Here the blessing upon the men that willingly moved into the city. This means they had to start a new life, a new home. What shall be said of blessing on thsoe that leave father and mother and homes to go into a strange city for mission work; for the pastorate; for the calling of the Lord? Here the blessing upon the men that take up the place of going for the Lord. What shall be said of those that gave of their time, money and energy for the furtherance of the Gospel? Hear the blessing from the people for such. Hear the blessing upon the musciians, the labors with their hands for the Gospel sake, who used their talents for the Lord. See and know that the Lord is good and behold what the Lord is doing in the midst of His people. We shoudl look upon our own life and recognize where we are. Do the people praise us for our sacrifice? There are many vain and selfish people that need constant praise from men for their deeds and actions. Be content to know that the Lord is the remember of everything. He sees and knows those sacrifices, those prayers, those tears those efforts for the sake of the Kingdom. That willilngly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem - they were moved by the Spirit and obeyed; I look upon this phrase of 'willingly offered' more for the kingdom than to look at the actual content of this verse. What is it when God speaks to a soul and says, 'Stand aside. I will use you for My Names sake'? those that were called and obeyed and stood for the Lord in the ministry, in service in duties to be faithful for Him, Who is faithful. NOte: their are many that was invited, many that were touched and moved but they would not willingly offer themselves. They had too much invested in this world. They had too much to gain and they forsook the calling of the Lord upon them. But these are those that willingly step out for the sake of the call. Has the Lord spoken and touched your heart? Has He strangely warmed you to action? Will you obey? How long has He been calling and beckoning for you to willingly offer yourself? so many that I have watched where the Lord called them. They responded for a fleeting moment and then turned away back to the world. I have seen those that were not called and did not willingly offer themselves but was forced to go, and what disgrace they did for the kingdom. The Spirit lays hold upon the mind, heart and soul of one that God wishes to use. What would have happened if Finney would have said 'No'? of Spurgeonj? of Moody? of Carmichael? Of Hyde? And on and on it goes of those that need to go but are struglling of willingly offering themselves. Those that refuse God knows and He calls the next that will go. Choose you this day who you will serve. And 'follow, follow, I will follow on; anywhere, everywhere, I will follow on.'