The heart of a godly leader carries the burden and love of God for the people of God. The heart of a godly leader wants to see God’s people be healed, whole, prospering and successful. The heart of a godly leader never seeks to use the people to promote himself. A godly leader will lay down his own agenda to serve God’s people.
Nehemiah was a godly leader. Nehemiah heard the report of the distress of God’s people and felt God’s burden. “The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. ” (Nehemiah 1:1–4, NIV84)
The first test of the leader is the heart. Will you see and care for God’s people the way God does. God weeps over our brokenness and our woundedness. God hates our bondage and our defeat. God’s leaders must carry God’s heart. Nehemiah responded by fasting and praying. Nehemiah did not assume that he knew what to do. In time alone with God, Nehemiah sought the wisdom of God.
The second test of a leader is character and responsibility. In prayer, Nehemiah took responsibility for the problems.
“When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Then I said: “O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s house, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses. “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’ “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” I was cupbearer to the king. ” (Nehemiah 1:4–11, NIV84)
Nehemiah confessed the sins that brought the judgment of God. Nehemiah declared the goodness of God. Nehemiah reminded God of the covenant promises. Nehemiah took responsibility before God to walk in the promises of God.
Godly leaders will take responsibility for the current problems. They will not hide from them, They will not place the blame on others. Godly leaders will seek God to become part of the solution. Godly leaders will do all that is within them to become part of the solution. Godly leaders will acknowledge their responsibility before God for change and will allow God to change them first before initiating change with others.
If there is an ungodly problem, choose to become part of the solution. Seek God. Obey God. Allow God to bring change to your heart and you will be empowered to transform the problem into a solution.
