Nehemiah 8:10
‘Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”’

In most notebooks there is a space before you write. This narrow rectangular shaped space is more often than not called the margin.  Unlike the rest of the page the margin does not give you much space to maneuver but yet it defines what goes on in the broader space.

Are you feeling marginalized today?  Are you feeling forced into a box, a pre-defined space which seeks to rob you of your creativity and sap your energy?  Are you feeling trapped by your circumstances?

STOP feeling sorry for yourself, this is a lie from the pit of hell.  Rise and shine and give God the glory.  You are not defined by the margin, this space, although it seems narrow, is a spacious space that the Lord has ordained for you.  Look around and see that the margin that you are in is to help shape how the broader areas of your life will be utilized.  This time of your life is to strengthen you and prepare you for the greater works that God has pre-determined for you.   Roll back the curtains of your memory so that you can recall what the Lord has already done for you.

In the passage, the word of God was being read to people who were in the margins so long.  Their broken down city walls had just been restored but their spiritual walls were still in ruins, and even more importantly they did not know or understand the word of God.  When Ezra and the other priests read God’s word to them, they wept because for the first time they were able to hear and understand the Word with clarity and meaning.  What was God’s word to them through Nehemiah?

 “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing ready. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

How could Nehemiah tell them that?  He himself lived in the margin of a foreign land for many years as the king’s cupbearer and for such a time like this God made him the saviour of his people. In other words, he knew what he was talking about.

So you may be weeping as you watch the walls around you crumble.  Do not grieve like those who have no hope.  Rejoice!!! Why?? For the Lord has sent choice food and sweets drinks for you who have nothing prepared.  He has made provisions for you.  He is sending His light through His Word so that there is meaning and clarity. His strength will give you all you need for where you are. He has called you for such a time like this.  So bud and bloom where you are planted so that others will benefit from the aroma of Jesus Christ. It will come to pass and at the right time, God will enlarge your margins.

PRAYER

Jesus I feel trapped in the margin.  Help!!!  Emancipate me from mental slavery, free my mind and strengthen me so that I can perform my role for such a time as this.  Amen.