“So I came to Jerusalem, and was there three days” (Nehemiah 2:11).

 You may think it’s strange that I selected this verse for our Daily Prescriptions today. Obviously we have picked this phrase out of the big picture of what was happening in Jerusalem at this time. Nehemiah was the King’s cupbearer in Shushan, the palace, many miles from Jerusalem. Even though he was one of the captives, his life was pretty good in the palace. Nehemiah could have easily lived out the rest of his life without too many problems or involvement with the remnant back home. But Nehemiah loved God. Nehemiah loved God’s people. Nehemiah loved God’s city, Jerusalem! Devastated by the invasions of Babylon, the city of Jerusalem still lay pretty much in waste. The gates and walls were destroyed and had never been rebuilt. Nehemiah could not isolate himself from the needs of God’s people. Through prayer and the direct intervention of God, Nehemiah came to Jerusalem, and (I love what the Bible says), “he  was there.” Nehemiah was totally involved. He identified himself with God’s people and their situation. I want to be the kind of believer today who is really “there” in the local church. There are many who stop by when it is convenient, and they don’t seem to be really “there.” Their involvement is little. Their attendance is sporadic. Their association is distant. What a great reminder for us to really be “there!” Never before has the need been greater for Christians to be committed 100% to the Lord and their Bible-believing local church.

 For today:  I want to be totally devoted, all in, all there 100%! How about you?