Nehemiah 3, Ezekiel 44, Acts 23:12-22, Revelation 16:17-21, Psalm 136: When reading the Bible and especially the Old Testament and there appears a list it is easy to skim the list because we don’t know the people or most of the time how to pronounce their names. When we do that we are likely to miss a treasure that is hidden within.

Nehemiah 3: 5 And next to them the Tekoites repaired, but their nobles would not stoop to serve their Lord.

If you were just skimming or reading these pages for the first time that might not have jumped out at you. But if you have read this story a few times you might have picked up on the word Tekoites. In a few chapters we are going to find out that there were some who did not want Nehemiah to succeed. Some of the ones who proved to be a stumbling block where these Tekoites. As I pondered about their unwillingness to “stoop to serve there Lord” my mind went to the fact that pride is at the heart of so much of our sin. In a few chapters when their divisive behavior is revealed we can trace it back to this verse. Their pride and not wanting to “stoop” reveals their hearts. Everyone else realized that in order for the project to be complete all had to work on their part. When we think we are too good to work we leave a crack in the wall that the enemy can usher himself into. That crack may start small, but given time it can open up entire fissures that pour in the enemy’s power and presence. Later in the book we read that the men built with a hammer in one hand and a weapon in the other all because pride allowed the enemy to set up camp within the walls of the city.

Oh sweet friend, if you are seeing division in your church, home, business, or other relationships trace the root. Most of the time you will find that pride and selfish desire are the enemies’ entry point. You can’t do much to prevent this pride in others, but you can certainly do your part to prevent it in yourself. Check your heart attitude. Serve Your LORD and others. Don’t consider yourself above, but reach to the lowliest. When you do you don’t have time to find the faults in others because you are too busy working on the solutions for all.