A Leader's Legacy

 Read Nehemiah 13. 

After all his hard work, after all the worship and celebrations, even after the public covenant they made, Nehemiah discovered the truth of Proverbs 29:18.   "Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law." 

Due to the wording of the King James Version, the above verse continues to be misused today.  The intent of that Scripture is that people need to hear God's word ( the "prophetic vision") and held accountable to keep it.  Otherwise, there will be no guard rails for living a life that pleases God. 

Nehemiah needed to return to Babylon and report to the Persian authorities of the empire.  While gone, those he trusted back in Jerusalem proved to be disloyal to him, but even more they were disloyal to the LORD.  Decisively and forcefully, he corrected each violation of the covenant they had made.  Each time he paused to pray and asked God to keep in mind all the good he had done. 

Throughout his time of service, Nehemiah depended upon God and applied His word in real life situations.  Indeed, God did remember him for good and so do we. 

Our legacy is what we leave behind for others to follow.  May all who come behind us find us faithful.