Nehemiah chapter 5 verse 9 (NIV)
So I continued, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies.
Nehemiah chapter 5 verse 15 (NIV)
But the earlier governors—those preceding me—placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that.
Nehemiah had been appointed as the governor of Jerusalem, so it was right and proper for him to make judgements and decrees about the way the people were behaving. But, as we saw yesterday, it would have been easy for him to abuse his position and status and live an easier life. But he didn’t. Instead, he chose to lead by example and he lived his life that was indeed beyond the reproach of those who could easily have pointed the finger of accusation at him.
As did Jesus, and He expects us to do the same. People may be looking for a way to point the finger of accusation at us as Christians, and at the wider church. We too must make every effort to live our lives beyond reproach and when we mess up we must put things right as soon as possible, as proper ambassadors of Christ.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for all of those who have lived their lives as an encouragement and example of good servants of Christ. Help me to follow their footsteps so that You are glorified. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.