Anyone who spent time in the workplace has suffered the personal impact of downsizing, layoffs layoffs or demotions.

These are dreadful realities in a teetering economy.

Today, on Insight for Living, Chuck Swindall addresses

the flip side of these unwanted moments.

We seldom hear counsel on how to handle moments of

success when the boss grants us a bigger title, a raise in pay, and more responsibility.

In those moments of achievement, it's important to respond with grace.

Pointing to Nehemiah's story, Chuck says and I'd invite you to do the same. Before I begin our reading at verse 14 of

Nehemiah 5, let me let you know that this is sort of a new chapter in

Nehemiah's life. Even though the man was born and reared in a time when the Jewish people were living in

captivity to another nation, God had exalted him to the prominent place, a very responsible position with the king,

King Art Exerksies. That position was called the cupbearer to the king.

And then after a number of years in this prominent position

Nehemiah voluntarily took a demotion to return to Jerusalem and to get

involved, to get his hands dirty if you will, as they rebuilt the wall around the once great city.

However, unbeknownst to Nehemiah or anybody else at that time, God had another promotion in store for him. God's full of surprises,

and ancient days are no exception. In the midst of the gates being re-hung and the stones being replaced and the mixing of mortars and the enemies being rebuffed,

it became apparent to the Jewish people that Nehemiah was an outstanding leader.

So to his surprise, they promoted him to the highest office in the land of Judah,

the position of governor.

Isn't that amazing?

First a cupbearer and then the construction engineer for the building of the wall and

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