Nehemiah 5 - Praying God's Word

Please read Nehemiah 5.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/neh/5/1/s_418001

Meditate on verse 15.

But the former governors who were before me laid

 burdens on the people and took from them bread

and wine besides forty shekels of silver; even their

 servants domineered the people. But I did

 not do so because of the fear of God.

Rebuilding the wall took a financial toll on many of the people because time spent rebuilding did not leave time for providing for the needs of their families. Fields and homes were mortgaged to buy food and pay taxes. Children were sold into slavery. Moneylenders charged exorbitant interest rates. The situation was dire, and Nehemiah intervened as an excellent leader. He persuaded the nobles and rulers to stop exacting usury from their fellow Israelites (v. 7). The fields, vineyards, olive groves, houses, money, grain, wine, and oil were returned to their original owners (vs. 11-12). Nehemiah led by example, not eating from the governor’s food allowance or laying heavy burdens on the people (vs. 14-15). He worked on the wall himself, and his servants’ time was spent building the wall instead of waiting on Nehemiah (v. 16).  Nehemiah even shared his dinner table with over 150 guests each day at his own expense (v. 18).  Incredible!  What was his motivation for being so above reproach? Nehemiah feared God (v. 15).

Thankfully you have the book of Nehemiah to help you become a great, God-fearing leader. Ask God to make you selfless, hard-working, and above reproach. Ask Him to make you His servant who fears Him for the sake of others.

Pray Nehemiah 5:19 over yourself as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“Remember me, O my God, for good, according

 to all that I have done for this people.

In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell