God Speaks
Nehemiah, an Example of How a Leader Honors God by Living out the Scriptures
Verse of the Day: After doing what is right according to God’s word, may we pray like Nehemiah.: Remember me for this, my God, and do not blot out what I have so faithfully done for the house of my God and its services. . . . Remember me for this also, my God, and show mercy to me according to Your great love. . . . Remember me with favor,, my God. (Nehemiah 13:14, 22b, 31b NIV 2011)
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We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Nehemiah 11-13:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
Nehemiah 11
1. God chooses who will serve Him and His people and equips them to do so.
2. People serve God in numerous ways. In this chapter, these ways are mentioned: serving in the administration of a city or village, supervising or performing the work both inside and outside the house of God, leading families and various other groups, leading in thanksgiving and prayer, gatekeeping or guarding, singing, advising in public matters, maintaining the fields and flocks, traveling from outlying areas to serve in Jerusalem periodically, and working as craftsmen.
Nehemiah 12
1. God holds leaders of families, congregations, cities, and nations to a higher standard than those they lead.
2. People should celebrate their accomplishments, such as those who rebuilt the wall and reestablished the city of Jerusalem, with a public display of their praise and thanks to God.
Nehemiah 13
1. God expects immediate and complete obedience once people learn of the requirements He has put in His word; He looks with favor on those like Nehemiah who do so.
2. People need to take appropriate action against those who act in these ways: 1) harass and curse instead of assist and bless God’s people; 2) dishonor God by conducting ordinary work or business on His special day; 3) placate or pander to others who vehemently oppose God, His work or His people; 4) have become entangled with others who are very likely to lead them away from the LORD God.
Psalm 126
1. God is the One who ultimately brought the Israelites back to Jerusalem from exile.
2. People are to give the LORD credit (praise and thanks) for all the wonderful things He has done for them.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Nehemiah 11-13?
O LORD God, You love all people and know who will immediately or eventually respond to You and what Jesus has done for us. You choose who will serve You and Your people and then equip them to do so. These people will serve in many ways, such as serving in the administration of a city or village; supervising or carrying out the work both inside and outside Your house, O God; leading families and various other groups; leading in thanking and praising You in prayer; gatekeeping or guarding; singing; advising in public matters; maintaining the fields and flocks; working as craftsmen; and/or traveling from their home areas to serve You and Your people in Jerusalem and other places in the world. Bless them all and meet their needs. LORD God, You hold leaders of families, congregations, cities, and nations to a higher standard than those they lead. Enable them to measure up to those standards, Holy Spirit. Your people are in the right when they celebrate what they have accomplished under Your direction and empowerment. This calls for a public display of their praise and thanks to You, LORD God. You expect immediate and complete obedience from us once we learn of the requirements You have put in Your word. You look with favor on us when we do so. Your people, especially leaders, need to take appropriate action against those who act in these ways: 1) harass and curse instead assist and bless Your people; 2) dishonor You by conducting ordinary work or business on Your special day; 3) placate or pander to others who vehemently oppose You, God, Your work or Your people (wherever they are); 4) have become entangled with others who are very likely to lead us away from You, LORD God. Holy Spirit please move people so that we are inspired to give You, LORD God, credit (praise and thanks) for all the wonderful things You have done for us. We ought always to strive to bring You glory, LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Nehemiah 11-13? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will encourage one person in ten in my congregation (particularly men) to serve in some kind of public office (religious or secular).
- I will pray for and encourage people who voluntarily serve in challenging positions or locations.
- I will pray for and encourage people who contribute to worship through preaching, teaching, music, singing, greeting, cleaning, or maintaining our place of meeting.
- I will seek the LORD’s favor by following His direction in all that I do.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.