Spiritual emphasis
Christian service is a work without limits. Every day brings fresh opportunity to share the gospel in various situations. Some are called to work faithfully in their local church for a whole life time: others respond to a call to uproot their family and to go thousands of miles from their home. From time to time a need arises for a particular project to be undertaken which will provide fresh opportunities for the expansion of God’s kingdom.
It was in such circumstances that Nehemiah, the king’s cupbearer, felt the burden to undertake the task of helping Israel return from exile to restore Jerusalem: Nehemiah 1:4-11. The city was in ruins and its defences laid bare. With the king’s permission, Nehemiah and his co-workers set about the daunting task of rebuilding the city’s defences. There was much to be done: materials to secure, workers with a wide range of skills to recruit, plans to be drawn up, supplies to be arranged to feed the workforce. Different attitudes and different aspirations on the part of the people had to be managed, not to mention refusing offers of help which were likely to prove more of a hindrance. Meantime an enemy lurked at the edges of the project, keen to see it come crashing down-literally. Despite all this the project was delivered on time and on budget and the praise for all this endeavour was seen to be properly due to God. In Nehemiah 6:15 we read “So the wall was completed in fifty two days… they (the enemies) realised that this work had been done with the help of God”
It is little wonder then that many of those associated in various ways with Brass Tacks often turn to the story of Nehemiah to be reminded of the way in which God works powerfully to achieve his purposes. Opportunities to support gospel mission in a practical way are the very essence of Brass Tacks. The challenges which faced Nehemiah in planning, organising and delivering his appointed task are exactly the ones we face. Yet we have the same assurance as Nehemiah in chapter 2:20 “The God of heaven will give us success.”
To be associated with such a work is a singular privilege for us as is any service to God’s glory. In Nehemiah 4:6 we read “…the people worked with all their heart”. It is right that we follow their example. In 1 Corinthians 10:31 it says “Whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God”.