Clear the Stage

More to follow ... for now ... just listen.

Nehemiah 7:2

A lot of conversations lately about leadership ... who to elect ... who to select ...

I think I have come to the conclusion because of my reading in Neh 7 ... specifically the second verse ...

I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani,along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most people do.

... I think the question isn't who do we set in a place of authority because so few of us actually find ourselves in the place where we are selecting leaders. But rather, we each have to decide whom we will follow. So perhaps the better question is "How do we choose who to follow?" And this verse points us in the right direction.

A man of integrity ... who fears God more than most. 

Integrity: The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness

A man who fears God more than most: 

That is harder to define ... 

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Jer 5:22 (NIV) "Should you not fear me?" declares the Lord. "Should you not tremble in my presence?"

Ps 34:11 (NEB) Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

Ps 89:7 (NIV) In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared.

Job 23:13-16 (NIV) "But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? He does whatever he pleases. He carries out his decree against me, and many such plans he still has in store. That is why I am terrified before him; when I think of all this, I fear him. God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me."

Prov 16:6 (NEB) ...the fear of the Lord makes men turn from evil.

Job 28:28 (NEB) ..."The fear of the Lord is wisdom, and to turn from evil is understanding."

Lord, may we choose wisely whom to follow ... running hard only toward You!