When the disciples met on the first Sunday after the crucifixion, Thomas wasn’t with them. Rather than going up to him saying “Why weren’t you with us on Sunday?” or “Where were you?”, they instead told him “We have seen the Lord!” Thomas had missed out on God’s blessing because of his absence.

The following Sunday, the disciples met up again and this time Thomas was with them. Again, Jesus appeared to the disciples, and Thomas finally saw his Lord. He was able to see and worship his Lord.

Similarly for us. If we are followers of Christ, we receive much blessing through meeting up with fellow believers to meet with our Lord. We may not see the Lord physically, but Jesus has promised to be with his people in a special way when two or three are gathered in his name.

As Christians, we should need no prompting to attend church services, to listen to our Lord that we might benefit, for when we miss them it is our loss. We may miss them because of many reasons, but it would be folly to miss them because of lame excuse.

When the building of the wall around Jerusalem was complete, Nehemiah didn’t consider the job complete. Similarly in our churches today, whilst the church is not a physical building, the church is the spiritual building of believers, and whilst a task may be complete, the job is not finished.

One of the first appointments Nehemiah made were the singers, putting the worship of God first. Similarly in our churches, we should never forget the main aim – to glorify God, to make his Gospel known. If we lose sight of this principle aim, the rest is in vain.

Nehemiah also appoints men for the practical day to day running of the city, based not primarily on ability, but on character. Men of integrity who feared God. Similarly, the appointment of those who deal with the practical day to day running of the church, deacons, should primarily be based on character rather than ability.

After the exile, the city had lots of space, but very few people. Most of the work was carried out by those from outside the city. The repopulation of the city was to be made up of God’s people, as the long lists denote. Similarly, in the church, those who become members, should be believers. (If that makes sense!)

Finally, Nehemiah gives instruction on appointing those who will protect the city, who will control the gates. In the church, these are the elders. They are to ensure the church maintain its main aim, to glorify God, and to keep out any influence which would be contrary to that main aim.