“20 The rest of the Israelites, with the priests and Levites, were in all the towns of Judah, each on their ancestral property.21 The temple servants lived on the hill of Ophel, and Ziha and Gishpa were in charge of them.22 The chief officer of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Mika. Uzzi was one of Asaph’s descendants, who were the musicians responsible for the service of the house of God. 23 The musicians were under the king’s orders, which regulated their daily activity.24 Pethahiah son of Meshezabel, one of the descendants of Zerah son of Judah, was the king’s agent in all affairs relating to the people.25 As for the villages with their fields, some of the people of Judah lived in Kiriath Arbaand its surrounding settlements, in Dibonand its settlements, in Jekabzeel and its villages, 26 in Jeshua, in Moladah, in Beth Pelet, 27 in Hazar Shual, in Beersheba and its settlements, 28 in Ziklag, in Mekonah and its settlements, 29 in En Rimmon, in Zorah, in Jarmuth, 30 Zanoah, Adullam and their villages, in Lachish and its fields, and in Azekah and its settlements. So they were living all the way from Beersheba to the Valley of Hinnom.31 The descendants of the Benjamites from Geba lived in Mikmash, Aija, Bethel and its settlements, 32 in Anathoth, Nob and Ananiah, 33 in Hazor, Ramah and Gittaim,34 in Hadid, Zeboim and Neballat, 35 in Lod and Ono, and in Ge Harashim.36 Some of the divisions of the Levites of Judah settled in Benjamin.“NIV

‘Having given an account of the principal persons that dwelt in Jerusalem (a larger account of whom he had before, 1 Chr. 9:2, etc.), Nehemiah, in these verses, gives us some account of the other cities, in which dwelt the residue of Israel, v. 20. It was requisite that Jerusalem should be replenished, yet not so as to drain the country. The king himself is served of the field, which will do little service if there be not hands to manage it. Let there therefore be no strife, no envy, no contempt, no ill will, between the inhabitants of the cities and those of the villages; both are needful, both useful, and neither can be spared.’ Matthew Henry

I was thinking that, ideally, God’s people should be ‘sprinkled’, like salt, into every part of every land. Primarily, we will influence and shine where we are, and not where we are not!

Recognise that wherever God has planted you in city, town, village, or hamlet, ‘There’s a work for Jesus (there) none but you can do.’ It may not be a spectacular work; it may largely go unnoticed. But it’s so important.

I remember how, in Sunday School, we used to sing, ‘Jesus bids us shine’, with the well-known words, ‘You in your small corner, and I in mine.’ Well, your corner may or may not be ‘small’, but you are definitely called to shine there.

Everywhere is a mission field, so everywhere require missionaries!

PRAYER: I’m grateful, Lord, for where you have placed me. Please use me here for your glory.