RPG Adults
HINDRANCES AND CHALLENGES TO SERVICE (VII)
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7
Nehemiah 5:6-13
Galatians 6:1-10
“Bear ye one another’s burdens,
and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
HINDRANCES AND CHALLENGES TO SERVICE (VII)
Today, the response of the nobles and rulers is a great encouragement to all who fear addressing issues within the community of God’s people. Church discipline is often dreaded and regarded as a cause of divisions within the body, and seen as something that drives people away. But in Nehemiah 5, we have a picture of how church discipline, when administered correctly, by those who have a good and godly testimony, can actually be corrective and not divisive. And again, correction can be taken positively and need not be taken offensively or negatively.
Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them (Neh 5:12). The approach taken to address the matter bore fruit. The words of Nehemiah, the testimony of his practice, and the presence of the assembly produced immediate conformity to the appeal. The men, who had taken advantage of the troubles of their time and oppressed the poor, acknowledged the error of their ways and agreed to change. This is a testimony to the truth that godly change can only be effected by godly steps. It is a grave mistake to think that ignoring an issue and keeping silent will, with the passing of time, allow for things to return to normal. It is sinful to put up with and endure internal evil “for the sake of peace” or postpone them out of expediency. It is worth noting that though the focus of both Nehemiah 3 and 4 was the work of rebuilding the wall, not once had the wall been mentioned up to this point in Nehemiah 5. The focus was on the problem and resolution of it, and thank God it was resolved! Nehemiah then proceeded to make the decision binding by the administration of an oath by the priests. They had followed the ways of the world as men. And as men, they were still susceptible to the same weakness of straying. Just as they had forgotten the laws and principles of God, they could still do so in the future. The awakening of the people’s conscience to their duty to God and their brothers was reinforced by an oath and a promise both before God as Nehemiah “called the priests,” and men as it was done in the presence of the assembly.
THOUGHT: (Read Ephesians 5:17.)
PRAYER: Father, may I walk and work with wisdom for Thy glory.