Two weeks ago I started a series on Nehemiah. It is a favorite Old Testament book, but what stood out to me were the evidences of what a godly leader is and does as evidenced in the text. This week I will add three more posts and finish the series.
If you have been following along in this series about Nehemiah, you will likely recall that when we left the story Ezra had read from the book of the Law to remind the exiles of who they were and how they were to be living. When they heard about the level of their sin, the people became sorrowful. Nehemiah, however, reminded them of the need to be joyful and celebrate the truth they had learned and they set about celebrating the Feast of Booths. (Ezra also continued to read for seven more days!)
After the feasting and celebration, the leaders now focus on the sins that had come to light as a result of hearing the Law. What did they do? They led them in a confession of those sins before God. The lengthy prayer began with them praising God and then specific confession of their sins and the sins of their fathers. They made no effort to blame or shift the responsibility for what they had done and failed to do on God or anyone else. How hard that can be for us so many times.
It seems quite evident that hearing the truth of God and seeing His character evident in His mercy and loving-kindness brought them into a much keener awareness of their sin.
God’s Word has a way of adjusting us to the right standard of His truth when we take time to read it. We should never look at the Word as a buffet we can pick and choose from to adjust it to our preference.
When the exiles heard God’s words to them, they saw His everlasting love and were reminded of His promises of love.
When we first come to know the Lord personally, we are acutely aware of our sinfulness and find it relatively easy to confess those sins to Him. What may not happen as often is how we attend to daily time in God’s Word and how that should not only lead us to worship Him, but also cause us to confess our sins that we can ignore or slough off without thought.
What we read informs our conscience of His love, mercy, and grace, but also His justice. What we read reminds us that our lives are meant to increasingly look more like Him and that can only happen when we are keeping short accounts with Him.
In this series, we have identified 5 characteristics of a godly leader so far. Here they are again:
- A godly leader prays
- A godly leader acts
- A godly leader faces opposition
- A godly leader cares
- A godly leader turns people to God’s Word
The part of the story we have looked at today gives us a sixth characteristic to add to the list:
A godly leader confesses his sins and leads his people to confess their sins.
Seeing His heart and then looking back at our own heart can sure give some perspective — shining a glare on the sin we’ve been ignoring, can’t it? How blessed are we to have a God who offers us the opportunity to confess and walk away cleansed and ready to serve in a richer way because of it. — Such an example of leadership, Nehemiah was. — So glad to have been along for the ride of this series, Pam. 🙂 Thank you for sharing with #ChasingCommunity. ((hug))
Thank you Pam for sharing this post at Wednesday AIM Link Party at Grammy’s Grid. I shared it on social media. Hope you get lots of traffic!
Thanks! You’re always so supportive!! I appreciate you!!
I always enjoy a series that digs deep into a single book of the Bible. Thank you for all the careful and prayerful work you’ve done with Nehemiah. While I don’t enjoy examining my conscience or confessing my sins, I am always amazed by how much better I feel afterward. It is so much easier to feel the grace of God, when we acknowledge our desperate need for it.
Thanks, Melissa! I am so wth you on the power and release of confession. Blessings on your day!
Hi Pam! I liked the point about not using God’s word as a buffet. It reminds me that all word from the Lord is inspired, not just the ones that I easily agree with.
It is an amazing quality to be able to publicly admit sin, and be so confident of forgiveness that there is no shame in any of it. That’s the kind of sinner God loves the best, I think. The kind who knows they are imperfect, but relies not on their imperfection, but on the perfect forgiveness of God.
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Ceil
Hi Ceil! Thanks for these great an kind thoughts! Blessings and hugs!
I have always enjoyed the Nehemiah story, and it is even the story used in a book about vision I am currently reading. I was introduced to it many years ago during a leadership course, and God was teaching me that praying is the first step. Always. I’ve gone off that habit, and see how He is leading me back to it. I like how you are breaking down all the elements of a leader!
Thanks, my friend!
I love this: God’s Word has a way of adjusting us to the right standard of His truth when we take time to read it.
Such an important truth and a reminder of the value of regular study!
Thanks so much, Sarah!
thanks for the reminder to own our sins, to not pass the buck, and to release all our stuff so we can be vessels fit to be used by the One we love …
Thanks so much, my friend! Welcome back!
Thank you for sharing your insight. I love the story of Nehemiah and his willingness to listen and obey when God called him. The points that you gleaned from his story are ones that we all need to embrace as we walk this journey with God and choose to go deeper with Him. Blessed to be linked near you at Messy Marriage today.
Thanks, Mary! It is a favorite Old Testament book of mine. Great to hear from you and receive your encouragement!
Many leaders fear that confession will weaken their position not strengthen their people!
So true!! They miss the power in the humility of confession and how it models and draws others to a deeper level of walk with Christ.
I’m really enjoying this series, Pam! This trait is probably the most challenging today since most folks are quick to call us Christians judgmental if we even mention that the law or that they might need to confess something. Thanks for giving me something to chew on today… Blessings!
Thanks, Liz! Your encouragement means a lot!! Have a God-kissed day!!