RPG Adults
ETHICS FOR SERVICE (IV)
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7
Nehemiah 2:1-8
Ezra 8:15-20
“And by the good hand of our God upon us
they brought us a man of understanding.”
ETHICS FOR SERVICE (IV)
The opportunity and success of every venture of service for God and men do not rest solely on the desire of the heart, tact, character and habits of the man, and the soberness and clarity of the mind. Though all these are things we can look for, consider and cultivate in preparation for profitable and successful service, yet their presence alone does not guarantee success. Nehemiah, in his account of how he found himself with the opportunity to serve and position to lead, made this very clear by the last sentence in Nehemiah 2:8
According to the good hand of my God upon me (Neh 2:8). Here we find the cornerstone of every successful venture for the Lord. Christian service and leadership are primarily matters of the workings of the providential hand of God. Therefore, the mind of the servant and the ethics he uses in his pursuits must include the acknowledging of God. So, what is it that characterises a mind that is both conscious of, and trusting in, the providential hand of God in the pursuits and workings of life? First, a reliance on God as seen in a prayerful disposition. One who trusts in God with all his heart, will make known to God, with prayer and supplications with thanksgiving, all matters both great and small, seeking guidance and God’s will concerning them. Second, a relationship with God as seen in acknowledgement. It is not enough to seek and lean on God’s revealed wisdom as we undertake and address issues in our lives, but it is equally important to be conscious of God’s providence and acknowledge Him in all our ways. Nehemiah acknowledged and attributed the king’s favour, not to his tact, carefulness, wisdom, planning or focus, but rather to the hand of God upon him. This is a reflection of his relationship with God. He knew God would guide, and trusted Him to guide, and when he received favour, he acknowledged and attributed all of it to God. He said, “the good hand of MY God upon me.” The emphasis added on the personal pronoun “my” shows a clear understanding of a close and personal relationship with God.
THOUGHT: What do I attribute my successes to? Who takes the credit?
PRAYER: Father, keep me near the cross, and make Thyself known through all circumstances in my life.