Good Leaders Recognize Game and Stay on Mission (Neh 6.1-16) - 8-8-21

Scripture texts are Nehemiah 6.1-16 and Matthew 5.1-16 from the thought "Good Leaders Recognize Game (Spirit of Discernment) and Stay on Mission.Nehemiah galvanized the Israelites to rebuild. He organized them by families near their own homes. External opposition came against the people. Internal strife arose. And now, personal attacks come directly at Nehemiah. We shall examine three ways the enemies tried to bring him down and how Nehemiah responded.1.They tried to entice him and lure him away (vv 1-4). They will also try to do likewise to us. Sanballat pretended to be friendly. He was very persistent in his enticement. But Nehemiah was just as persistent in his response. He recognized the enemy’s game and he stayed on mission.2.They tried to assassinate his character by making up lies (vv 5-9). They sent an unsealed letter to Nehemiah so the carriers could read it and spread the rumor. He did not respond tit for tat. Nehemiah understood persecution comes. He recognized game, called out the lie, prayed to God, and continued the work. He stayed on mission.3.They tried to deceive him by using a trusted source (vv 10-14). They used a man of God to try to deceive Nehemiah by inviting him to hide in the sacred place. Jesus had Judas. Caesar had Brutus. Nehemiah would have been viewed as a coward and a sinner had he yielded. He recognized game, prayed, and stayed on mission. Our lesson? Recognize game (spirit of discernment) and stay on mission (persistence). Amen