Nehemiah 7:1

Nehemiah 7:1 says, Now it came to pass, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed,  After the walls were completed, Nehemiah set up the doors and the porters, singers, and Levites were appointed.  In other words, those involved in the worship service were appointed and the service was organized.  We need people who are called by God appointed to positions of service in the church today, and we also need to have worship service conducted in an orderly manner.  This doesn’t mean that we all must worship the same way, but we need to make sure that our worship service brings honor to God and is not just a time of entertainment. 

Verse two adds, That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.  Nehemiah also said he gave his brother Hanani and Hananiah rule over Jerusalem.  They were to be over the affairs of the city and not the temple.  He said that Hananiah was a faithful man who followed God.  I believe that even though we are to follow God in civil matters as well as church matters that the leaders should be separate, but they all should be faithful men who follow God. 

Verse three continues, And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand by, let them shut the doors, and bar them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch, and every one to be over against his house.  Nehemiah said the gates of the city should be kept closed except when the sun was high, and the people were on watch.  We still need watchmen to keep the church from being invaded by teachings that are not consistent with God’s word, but we need to be open to all who would come seeking Jesus Christ.  In order to do this, we must know what God’s word actually says. 

Verse four concludes, Now the city was large and great: but the people were few therein, and the houses were not builded.  Nehemiah then said that the city was great, and the people were few and that the houses had not been rebuilt.  The field of sinners is great today and the workmen to reap the harvest are few, but we need to be at work to share the gospel so that they might be saved.  We also need to have the work of God be more important than our own comfort.