TUESDAY April 4, 2017
God’s Representatives
Palal the son of Uzai made repairs opposite the buttress, and on the tower which projects from the king’s upper house that was by the court of the prison. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh made repairs. - Nehemiah 3:25
More important than the maintenance of the city’s walls, and beautifying the house of the Lord was to be a leader, who represented God to the people. Nehemiah genuinely cared for the people and he showed God’s compassion towards them. They could tell by his actions that he wanted to help them rebuild their lives.
At Rephidem, God’s people contended with Moses because there was no water to drink (Numbers 20:2-5). God told Moses to speak to the rock and water would come out so the people could drink. Moses misrepresented the Lord to them as an angry God, when the Lord was not angry with His people:
Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them” - (Numbers 20:12).
We are God’s representatives to His people and whatever actions we take towards them is what they will keep in their minds. Parents bring their children to church so they can learn about God, but how do we greet them at the doors? In ministry how do we answer the phones or as a leader approach someone who is misbehaving or has a problem?
In every situation, God has called us to represent Him to the people. We are to love the Lord and love His people, no matter how contentious they may be. If He loves them so should we.
Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
~1 Peter 5:2~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!