FAITH CAPSULE: Come out of selfish motives; center your heart on only that glorify God.

Nehemiah 1

So many egoistic (self-centered) occupies every corner of the world without exception of believer or unbeliever. Who are you? Are you an acclaimed believer that is devoted to or caring only for oneself; concerned primarily one’s own interests, benefits or regardless for others? Are you one that is characterized by selfish motives? Indeed, life should not be only about self but considerate for people around self.
Nehemiah was a non-entity. He was not a pastor, he was not a bishop, and he was not a prophet nor was he the son of a prophet. He was an ordinary cupbearer to the king in the Persian palace. He got to where he was because he was a captive. One thing was clear about Nehemiah: he had the concern for Jerusalem’s welfare and its inhabitants at heart. Nehemiah, a cup-bearer with big heart desired a better life for his brethren. Nehemiah was not self-centered. Who are you? As a cup-bearer, he wanted a change for others but not be a liar or manipulation in the name of God. God saw Nehemiah’s heart and He acknowledged him. God in His awesomeness invested in the life of Nehemiah as a vessel to reconstruct the broken wall of Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 1:3-4 was the report that burdened Nehemiah, “And they said to me, ‘The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.’ So it was, when I heard these words that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.” Nehemiah poured out his heart in prayer on behalf of his people and his homeland. He asked for nothing that had to do with himself, but rather petitioned for things that had to do with a better life for his people.
Nehemiah’s heart was in line with what God was looking for. Who are you in the eyes of God that is always traveling over the earth, searching for heart that lines up with His glory? Jeremiah 17:9 confirmed that, “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it?” God alone knows every heart and He will not overlook both good and evil heart.
If you will begin to come out of selfish motives, if you will begin to center your heart on all that will glorify God, He will not limit your exploit on the face of heart. Nehemiah did not remain on self but set for his people and God deposited in him what it takes to bring glory to the name of God. Nehemiah, a cup-bearer turned the issue of his nation around. Life is not to be about self alone, but rather it should be about all who comes our way.

Prayer for today: Ask for the grace not to live life as selfish one.