Scripture to Read: Nehemiah 5:13
As we saw yesterday, God used Nehemiah to rebuke the nobles and rulers in Jerusalem. We also read the nobles’ and rulers’ response: that they would give back everything they had taken from their brothers and sisters in Jerusalem. Nehemiah knew that words amount to nothing if the action does not follow. So, in Nehemiah 5:13, God led Nehemiah to let the rulers and nobles know that God was going to hold them accountable to their words. Accountability is what we all need as followers of our Lord Jesus Christ. When we are rebuked for any wrongdoing and then we respond with words of repentance, we must also be held accountable to follow through with our actions. Accountability is the key that keeps us from falling prey to the weakness of our flesh. Every one of us has repented of sin and said we were going to alter our behavior. But when there was no accountability, we found ourselves not following through on our words and even making excuses for not following through on what we said we would do. We must be open to accountability and seek godly people to be in our lives who will lovingly hold us accountable, so we honor our Lord by doing what we know is right. Because God led Nehemiah to speak these words of accountability to all the people involved, we read at the end of Nehemiah 5:13 that the people did according to the promise they had made. Follow-through is always a true sign of authentic repentance.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about needing accountability in your life?
2. Who will you ask to hold you accountable to your walk with Christ and being obedient to following Him in all areas of your life?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!