WANTED: GODLY LEADERS!

For the entire twelve years that I was governor of Judah—from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of the reign of King Artaxerxes—neither I nor my officials drew on our official food allowance. The former governors, in contrast, had laid heavy burdens on the people, demanding a daily ration of food and wine, besides forty pieces of silver. Even their assistants took advantage of the people. But because I feared God, I did not act that way. —Nehemiah 5:15-15

The fear of the Lord is to hate evil. Nehemiah hated evil, feared the Lord and would not take advantage of the people. He would not put heavy burdens on the people as previous governors did. For 12 years neither Nehemiah or his officials drew on the official food allowance.

Oh, that we would have government officials that fear God, that hated evil and would not take advantage of the people. It seems so many that are in government positions suck every dime possible from the tax-payers and demand even more. Who are they really looking out for? Themselves or the people they are supposed to be serving?

There is no doubt that the Lord God Almighty put it on Franklin Graham’s heart to travel to each state to call the church to be praying for America and also for those following Jesus to go into all the world which includes this “cultural area” called government. We know from God’s Word where this world is eventually heading, but will the church do its part while it is still on this planet. Will we followers of Jesus be salt and light in every area of this world or just those places we feel comfortable in.

I was talking with one of the guys at the State Prison where I volunteer. He said, “It was time for him to move from the area of prison where he is living to reach more men with the gospel in other parts of the prison.” All the guys where he lives have heard the gospel and he seeks to share with those who have not. Listen to what this man is saying. He is willing to put himself in a more difficult situation to reach men with the gospel. He is talking about areas of the prison where there are gangs, drugs, sexual perversions— things that will be every day part of his life— and he is doing this for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Where he presently lives is “comfortable” according to prison standards. What about you and I? Will we be like this man? Will we be like Nehemiah? Will we seek to serve the Lord even in uncomfortable situations or do we seek to live the comfortable Christian life without difficulties?

Dear Father, may I go where You desire me to go and do what You desire me to do. May this be done in the authority of Jesus my Lord and in the power of the Holy Spirit.