All Hands on Deck
Today’s Verse:
Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king’s words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work. ~Nehemiah 2:18
“All hands on deck” is a way of saying everyone needs to be involved and working together for the aim of getting an important task done and completed. It originated with the British Navy and has been a standard term used by our naval forces as well. It is a call for everyone to focus on a given objective, goal, or project so that the outcome is successful. When all hands are not on deck, we achieve less than our potential. In our devotion this morning, we see a similar call for God’s people and the work of God.
We see the hand of the Commander.
“Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me.” The most important hand we must have in every endeavor is the hand of God. “That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the Lord your God for ever” (Joshua 4:24). “And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord” (Acts 11:21). Before Nehemiah took on the monumental task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, he needed to have the confirmation of God’s hand on him. God’s hand upon us is for His permission. God’s hand upon us is for His power. God’s hand upon us is for our provision.
We see the hand of the captain.
“And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon.” God moved in the life of Nehemiah as the man to lead this endeavor. As the leader, Nehemiah had to be the first human hand in this. He assumed the risks of leadership. Leaders have to assume the risk of everything including this life. He assumed the responsibilities of leadership. This meant that every aspect of what needed to be done, he had to oversee and see to its completion. He assumed the ridicule in leadership. The enemies of the Jews targeted Nehemiah and wanted to destroy his integrity, and his ability to get the work done. Nehemiah made sure everyone knew he was all in.
We see the hand of the committed.
“And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.” This group of committed people included the priests, the nobles, the rulers, and all the Jews. They were thankful that God raised up a leader that would spearhead and lead this project. When they heard God had been at work in Nehemiah’s heart, there was a unanimous concurrence that it was time for everyone to get involved. “They strengthened their hands for this good work.” Everyone made this a high priority. Everyone committed time, resources, and effort. All hands were on deck!
God’s work prospers greatly when all hands are on deck. When everyone serves together, there is much that gets accomplished. When everyone prays and witnesses together, many souls are saved. When everyone gives together, these sacrifices pay for work to go forward. As members of your local church, we must strengthen our hands for this good work. Let’s get all hands on deck and help God’s work go forward.
Have an energized God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Exodus 10-12