20. A Leader Does Not Forget his Past

Key Verse: Nehemiah 9

While reading Nehemiah 9, we see a series of events taking place. In the previous devotional, we saw how the Israelites changed their focus to the word of GOD, and the impact of the same on their lives. In this chapter too, we see the people coming to the presence of GOD with fasting, with sack clothes, and earth upon them. These show that their hearts were moved as the Spirit of the LORD worked in them. As a result, they confessed of their sins, the iniquities of their fathers, and worshiped the LORD. The sequence of worship begins with the confession of sins. Sin hinders our access to the presence of the LORD.

From verse 5 onwards, we see a prayer. The prayer records praise for who GOD really is, HIS might and it is followed by a history starting from Abraham. The call of Abraham, his faithfulness, ways through which GOD had brought Israel out of Egypt, the sin of their fathers, the provision of GOD in their journey through the desert, their disobedience and the way they ill-treated the prophets and so on.

Remembering the past always:

1. Brings an attitude of confession.
2. Gives us a reminder not to stray off from Godly ways and to follow the laws given by the LORD.
3. The past reminds us of our hard times, through which we struggled to come up. Nothing we hold with our hands came up overnight; it came to us as our forefathers shed tears and sweat, foreseeing the future.
4. The past reminds us of the goodness of GOD. Without the goodness of the LORD, we are nothing. The Israelites were treated like slaves and as they felt the joy of freedom, they praised GOD for HIS goodness and took a decision to stand firm on the words of the LORD.
5. Remembering the past gives an assurance about the future. Though we have an uncertain future, because we know that GOD has been good to us all through the previous days, months and years, we can be sure that HE will sustain, bring joy and peace to us if we remain faithful in HIS ways.

Practical Living: Never forget your past. As a leader, make sure that you teach others the ways of the LORD and keep reminding them the goodness of GOD in their lives.