Matthew 5:13-30 – Fearing the Lord
The second man appointed by Nehemiah to govern the city of Jerusalem was Hananiah, the commander of the fortress, and the reason for his appointment is extremely significant. There is almost nothing known about him, but what is said of him is the best thing that could be said about anybody, ‘a faithful man and feared God more than many’. It is the fear of God that makes men faithful and trustworthy, and safe for public life.
God is absolutely holy and true and has revealed His holy and unchangeable law to men. He demands from men that they obey every precept and also that they not only have an outward obedience to his commands, but that they maintain heart purity. Not only must their actions be upright, the thoughts and intents of their heart must also be pure. To fear God is to honour Him and His word and seek to submit to Him in every part of life, both internal and external. The fear of God must have an impact upon how a person lives out his daily life, how he does his work, how he treats other people, his thoughts, his words, and his actions. The governing principle of his life will not be what is expedient but what is right.
It is sometimes said that ‘every man has his price’, but the man or woman who truly fears the Lord cannot be bought, not with money or prospects of promotion or advancement, they will never do what is dishonourable or self-serving because they are conscious that they ultimately serve the living and the true God.
To have such a person in a position of authority in civic society is truly a great blessing from the Lord, and so the choice that Nehemiah made of Hananiah was truly wise and for the good of the people of Jerusalem.
Questions
1.Why did Nehemiah pick Hananiah?
2.What does it mean to fear the Lord?
3. How can we grow in fearing the Lord?
Prayer Points
- Pray that you would fear the Lord.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.