Legacy of Leadership

I love Nehemiah! His story has strengthened me and given me an example to follow in my own life and ministry, as well as, countless millions before me!

So, what was it about Nehemiah that enabled him to be such a great and effective leader? What governed his life that caused him to persevere with strength, and at the same time, care for the people with such tenderness? In short, what was at the core of this man Nehemiah that governed and guided his God-honoring Legacy of Leadership?

That is exactly what he reveals to us in the last few verses of Ch.5. Nehemiah offers us (the reader) a glimpse into his personal life...into the decisions that he made and the way that he chose to live his life as the leader of the building project and as a governor of Judah. And, it's within these few verses that we find 2 core characteristics that caused Nehemiah to leave such an amazing legacy for all to follow.

1) The fear of God

2) A love for people

First, the fear of God. At the end of v. 15, Nehemiah says that "because i feared God, i did not act like previous governors..." What does he mean? Well, previous governors (he comments) laid heavy burdens on the people, demanding a daily ration of food/wine and taxes. They took advantage of the people and saw the people as a means to their material and financial gain. But not Nehemiah! He records how for the entire 12 years that he was governor, "neither I nor my officials drew on our official food allowance." He could have...after all, it was an "official food allowance" set up as a "perk" for the governor. But, for Nehemiah, he saw that as taking advantage of the people. He saw his position of governor (leadership) as one in which he was called to serve/help/lead/bless the people, not take advantage of them through a position of power. What an example. This example, he said, was because he feared God. So, a healthy fear of God caused him to NOT take advantage of others. And, the same core characteristic will cause the same effect in our lives, as well. As long as we maintain a proper perspective of who God is (Judge, Master, Ruler, Lover, Generous Giver, Just...), and what God desires (Justice, Equity, Service, Love, Generosity, Faith...), we will not take advantage of others either. Rather, we will seek to bless them, serve them and help them...as our God Himself does. So, a proper "fear of God" made Nehemiah who he was and gave him a Legacy of Leadership to pass on! This must be primary/foundational to the core of who we are...so, ask yourself "Do i fear God?". Can i see how this "fear of God" causes me to treat others better than myself? Or, do i take advantage of others, or of my position? Do i see others as a means to my betterment?

But also we find, and maybe as a result of the previous characteristic, that Nehemiah really had a love for people. All throughout v. 16-19, Nehemiah records all that he "refused" to take (which he could have), and all that he willingly gave "because the people carried a heavy burden." Truly, Nehemiah sacrificed certain pleasures and gave more than was required because he simply loved people. Specifically, he "devoted himself to work on the wall (rather than sit in a comfortable palace). He refused to acquire an land. He required his servants to work on the wall. He asked for nothing, but regularly fed 150 jewish officials at his table, as well as visitors from other lands. And, he paid for all of food for these large banquets out of his own pocket...leaving the "governors food allowance" for the people who had need. Truly, it doesn't take much to see that the way in which Nehemiah loved the people was proved by specific sacrificial action that he could site. But again, what about my life? I may claim to "love others", but can i list the ways in which that love is being demonstrated? Am i "devoting myself to sacrificial service", or "generously giving out of my pocket" for others, or am i "refusing certain privileges" that could be mine...all for the sake of helping others in need?

This was the legacy of leadership that Nehemiah left behind. This is an uncommon legacy, and one to be proud of...rather, one in which God is proud of. It's quite a "Christ like legacy", really. Is this legacy one which i will simply admire and walk away unchanged by? Or, is this a legacy of leadership one that i will glean from and seek to follow? This path is costly, this path is sacrificial, but this path is faith-filled and it is God honoring!

So, Father help me to Live the Legacy of Leadership that i find here in Nehemiah's life! Help me to live "fearing You", not any other concern or anxiety...only You! And, help me to love people in the same way that you love...sacrificially, selflessly, generously!

Created over 1 year ago