Rally to Us There

[273 words]

“And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, ‘The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another. In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there…'” (Neh. 4:19-20).

Nehemiah, seeing his hard-working constituents separated along the wall, instructed them to rally together when they heard the trumpet sound; that is, they were all to come together in one place. It was imperative that they find their own place along the wall, but it was equally as important to come together as a united front when their leaders deemed it necessary.

So it is within the body of Christ today! While every member has personal responsibilities collectively (cf. Heb. 10:24-25), it is of the utmost importance that citizens within the kingdom of God come together as a united front (cf. Eph. 4:1ff). Yes, it is commanded that such be done every first day of the week, and necessary inference shows that such was done throughout the first century (1 Cor. 16:1-2; Acts 2:42; 20:7). But coming together is not only commanded, it is beneficial in that it strengthens individually and motivates collectively. In addition, it sends a strong message to the enemy that we are ready and able to stand and fight the good fight of faith (1 Tim. 6:12)!

We may be separated from each other throughout the course of the week, but I look forward to that time when they say to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord” (Psa. 122:1). And I know that when I arrive, I will find my brethren there!