Tag: Integrity

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Week 5 | Protection & Provision

Strengthening:

Nehemiah 2:7-9

Call to Rise:

Last week we read about how God opened the door for Nehemiah to discuss his distress over Jerusalem with the king, and how months of prayer, repentance, fasting and a moment of fearless honesty lead to the king approving Nehemiah’s quest to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls. Nehemiah took his request a step further, asking for both protection and provision. He received both, because the favor of God was upon him. As we aim to rebuild righteous culture and government in America, we’ll need God’s favor, protection and provision as well.

The Favor of God

In verse eight, Nehemiah mentions that the king granted his requests because “the good hand of God” was upon him. This expression refers to the merciful favor of God.

What exactly is the favor of God, and how did Nehemiah get it?

Favor can be defined as “demonstrated delight” that brings goodwill, preference, approval or support. Please note that favor doesn’t mean favoritism. God does not show partiality, but He does show favor. God’s favor is not His love, which He gives equally to all, nor is it His grace, which is given and never earned. Favor is not synonymous with blessing, though it can lead to blessing, even through hardship. So what causes God to give favor to some and not others?

In short, there are some character traits and personal choices that especially please God, and they engender his favor. While I don’t pretend to fully understand God’s favor, scripture does give us some straight-forward examples and advice for obtaining it.

God shows favor to those who love him faithfully (Proverbs 3:1-4, Genesis 6:7-9), who hate what He hates (Revelation 2:6), who are righteous (Psalm 5:12; Genesis 4:4), who are honest (Proverbs 11:1) who live with integrity (Proverbs 3:3-4) and who seek wisdom (Proverbs 8:35).

Many of the heroes of our faith were chosen for special assignments within the Kingdom because they first found favor with God, including Noah, King David, Mary and Nehemiah.

God the Protector

In Bible times, the need for protection from invaders and robbers was a very real day-to-day concern. The writers and early readers of the Bible would have been intimately familiar with things like fortresses, strongholds, hiding places and shields. The modern American church generally doesn’t have a working knowledge or daily need for such things, so when these safeguards are used to depict the Lord, it’s more challenging for us to understand how profound it is that God Himself is our protector. 

He is our refuge (Psalm 46:1-3), our fortress (Psalm 144:1-2), our strong tower (Psalm 61:2-3), our stronghold (2 Samuel 22:2), our Rock (Genesis 49:24), our shade (Psalm 121:5), our hiding place (Psalm 32:7), our keeper (Psalm 121), our strength (Psalm 28:7-8)  and our shield (Genesis 15:1).

While God promises to protect us, He doesn’t promise that our lives will be free of difficulty. To the contrary, Jesus said “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Some of that tribulation comes simply from the fact that we live in a fallen world full of the consequences of sin – ours and others’. Scripture also says that persecution will come to those who follow Jesus (2 Timothy 3:12). 

God is concerned about our eternal soul. He promises us spiritual protection, and sometimes He provides physical protection. Ultimately, He knows when our bodies and property must be protected to preserve our soul, or when suffering will eventually lead to our purification and the building of our faith (Romans 8:28, James 1:2-3). I do not mean to say that God causes suffering, but rather that He knows how best to maneuver it for the sake of His children and His kingdom. Always ask God for protection! Invoking the promises and examples of protection in scripture to petition God demonstrates our trust in Him. Whether you escape or endure physical calamity, rejoice, because God is able to cause all these things to work for your ultimate good (Romans 5:3-5)!

Inviting God’s Protection

A refuge can only protect you if you enter it. Shade can only cover you if you abide in it. A shield can only protect if it is picked up and used. But where do we even begin?

There are two portions of scripture that are especially rich with information about the protection of God – Psalm 91 and Ephesians 6:10-18. These provide a great starting point for your deeper study on how to ask God for His protection.

How do I Invite God’s protection?

Love Him
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;” 
Psalm 91:14 

Acknowledge His Name
“I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.”
Psalm 91:14
“I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Psalm 91:2 

Abide in Him
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High  will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1

Trust Him
“I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Psalm 91:2 

Call on Him
“He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.”
Psalm 91:15

Put on the Armor of God
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,  praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
Ephesians 6:10-18

God the Provider

One of the great wonders of God is that He chooses to do God-sized work through human-sized vessels. I in no way want to dismiss the truth that God is praised and the Kingdom is built when we honor Him in the common moments of our lives. However, there’s no denying that God is glorified in the earth when His response to our faith results in miracles that exceed our human abilities. A pastor once challenged me to daily pray for God to give me something to do that can only be explained by God’s grace. When God calls us to do, say and believe things that are beyond our ability or personal resources, we must trust that He will provide for the work He’s called us to complete. 

“For His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”
2 Peter 1:3

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:20-21

The Bible is full of examples of common humans whom God called to do uncommon things beyond their ability. They trusted Him to provide, and the results still inspire us today. Consider:

  • The Ram in the Thicket
    When God told Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, he obeyed, telling his son “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering.” Sure enough, when God saw that Abraham was willing to obediently sacrifice his beloved son, God responded by providing a ram in a nearby thicket to sacrifice instead. Through this story God is revealed to us as Jehovah-Jireh – the God who provides. (Genesis 22:1-14)
  • Gideon’s Army
    Despite intimidation and fear, Gideon answered God’s call to defend Israel against a well-trained, well-equipped army that outnumbered him by far. With faith and just 300 men, Gideon successfully routed the Midianite army when God supernaturally led him to a strategy that intimidated the enemy into giving up. (Judges 7)
  • The Faith of a Starving Mother
    During the drought of Elijah’s time, God sent the prophet to a widow of Zarephath to provide him with food. When he met her and asked for food, she told him that she was going to use the last of their flour and oil to make a final meal for her and her son before they died of hunger. Elijah urged her to serve him first, promising that the Lord would not allow the oil or the flour to be used up. By faith, she obliged Elijah, and the Lord continued to supernaturally provide oil and flour to her family through the rest of the drought. (1 Kings 17:12–17) 
  • David & Goliath
    When the entirety of Israel’s army was afraid to fight Goliath the giant, a young man with love for and courage of God defeated the enemy with a slingshot and the enemy’s own sword. David knew he would be victorious despite not having the armor, weapons or training of an accomplished soldier, because he knew that God was with him. (1 Samuel 17)
  • Feeding of the Five-Thousand
    When Jesus tasked the Disciples to feed 5,000 men (plus women and children) they certainly felt their resources were not enough! And yet, Jesus was able to use what they had – five loaves of bread and two fish – to miraculously multiply it in service of the Kingdom. (Matthew 14:15–21)
  • Uneducated, Untrained Men with the Words of God
    The disciples were “uneducated and untrained men” (Acts 4:13) whose wisdom and teaching baffled the Jews of their day. Jesus told his disciples, “On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” (Matthew 10:18-20)

This supernatural provision for the work of God’s kingdom is not relegated to a handful of men and women in the past. God is still in the business of calling ordinary people to extraordinary work, and He is still willing and able to supernaturally provide for those who trust Him to do what can only be explained by His grace.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Prayer:

God, please have mercy on me and show me favor. I pray that the ways I think, speak and act would cause You to delight in me. Through the power of Your Spirit, help me to love You faithfully and to live with righteous integrity. Please give me Your wisdom. Please give me Kingdom work to do that can only be explained by your grace. I ask for your grace – your power to do what truth demands, and I trust that you will provide all that I need to establish your Kingdom in my heart, home and nation. As I build the Kingdom of light in territory that the darkness has claimed, protect me, my family, my home and my income. Please provide all that I need today. I trust that you will provide all that I need tomorrow. My hope is in You.

Build Assignment:

  1. Pray for protection and provision.
  2. Contact your School Board.
    If you don’t have any questions or commentary on current issues, simply thank them for their service or remind them that you are praying for them.

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Week 3 | Cupbearer to the King

Strengthening:

Nehemiah 1:11

Call to Rise:

Nehemiah was Cupbearer to the King. As a mother, when I hear the word “cupbearer,” I’m inclined to think of moments when my fussy toddlers could be comforted by nothing except their sippy cups, and the parent who could produce the prize first would be the hero of the day. Nehemiah’s role was quite different.

In the ancient world a Cupbearer was an officer of high rank within the king’s court. As the Jewish Virtual Library explains, “since he was close to the person of the king, who feared intrigue and the possibility of poisoned food, the Cupbearer was required to be a man of irreproachable loyalty capable of winning the king’s complete confidence.” In addition to certifying the safety of Artaxerxes’ wine, John Westervelt clarifies that “Nehemiah was a confidant and counselor to the king.” Nehemiah was a man of integrity, and thus, influence. If we hope to influence our nation for Jesus, we would do well to demonstrate a similar level of integrity.

What is integrity?

A person has integrity when their actions match the values they hold and profess.

God demonstrates perfect integrity. He doesn’t lie (Titus 1:2). He does what He says He’ll do (Numbers 23:19). He keeps His promises (Hebrews 10:23). He doesn’t change his character (Hebrews 13:8) or virtues (2 Timothy 2:13). He is both perfectly righteous and absolutely just (Deuteronomy 32:4).

What does the Bible say about integrity?

Since integrity is part of the character of God, the Bible has a lot to say about it. Here’s a snapshot of the benefits and effects of Biblical integrity.

Regarding Slander

What is Slander?

Few things are more painful and debilitating for a person of integrity than slander. According to the American Heritage Dictionary, slander is “a false and malicious statement or report about someone.” As we move further into our study, we’ll learn that this exact weapon was used by the enemy against Nehemiah. Whenever God’s people begin to advance the Kingdom of light into the territory of darkness, the enemy feels threatened (as he should). One of the first weapons he will use against the righteous is slander, because if he can undermine our integrity (trust), he can undermine our influence (relationships). He is the father of lies, and so slander is his native tongue (John 8:44). 

In fact, the Greek word translated as “slanderers” in Titus 2:3 is diabolos; the same word that diabolical is derived from in English. Author Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth explains that “this word—diabolos—appears 38 times in the New Testament. And in all but four of those occurrences, it’s used to refer to Satan… This connection between slander and Satan shouldn’t surprise us. The first time we meet him in Scripture, he is slandering God’s nature and character to Eve in the garden of Eden. ‘You will not surely die’ for eating fruit from the forbidden tree, he told her (Genesis 3:4).”

How Does Satan Use Slander?

Satan slanders God to humans. He sows doubt as to whether God can be trusted. He accuses the Lord and twists His words. Have you ever heard the darkness whisper something ilke “If God is real, why hasn’t He done anything about it?”

Satan also slanders humans to God. DeMoss Wolgemuth says “he famously did it in the early chapters of Job, declaring that righteous man’s behavior to be the easy response of an easy life. ‘Stretch out your hand and touch all that he has,’ Satan said to God, ‘and [Job] will curse you to your face’ (Job 1:11).”

And finally, he entices humans – even Christians – to slander each other. 

How Should We Respond to Slander?

Thankfully, God has not left us defenseless when it comes to slander. The Bible gives us guidance on what to do when the accuser is on the prowl.

1| Trust God to Defend Your Honor. However you respond, make sure you are responding out of the fear of the Lord and not fear of people. Instead of panicking, we can trust the Lord to defend us. Pastor Gavin Ortlund says “After all, it’s in the context of being ‘maligned’ that Jesus says, ‘Have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known’ (Matt. 10:26).”

2| Pray for truth to be exposed and exalted. Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. (Proverbs 10:9 ESV)

3| Speak Truth. You don’t need to argue or plead your case. You are empowered to declare truth, which is an absolute defense against lies. The truth is mighty and powerful, while lies are simply biding their time before they crumble. Speak truth in gentleness and not in bitterness. This is precisely what Nehemiah did when confronted with slander, and it is what Paul recommends in 2 Timothy 2:23-26:

Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

This gentle rebuttal is best done in person whenever possible.

4| Continue in Integrity. It all comes back to consistency between what you practice and what you profess. Your godly integrity is a testimony before Heaven and earth, a defense purchased steadily over time by faithfully investing in righteous words and actions. God honors that investment, and has vowed to protect it. 

Rejoice And Be Glad

Biblical integrity invites the blessing, favor and protection of God. As you commit to establishing the Kingdom of God in your sphere of influence, don’t be surprised if you find yourself on the receiving end of slander. Even more importantly, don’t forget that the One who never breaks a promise has promised to deliver you.

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:11–12 (ESV)

Prayer:

Father, you know my intentions and actions. Please empower me to be a person of integrity. I lift my values and priorities up to you and ask that You convict me of any that are not consistent with Your holy scriptures and character. Teach me Your ways. Please make my heart fertile soil for the seeds of Your word, so that all I learn about and from you will take root and result in a harvest of righteous thoughts and actions. Thank you that when I walk in integrity I will be delivered. Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever. God, I ask that your American Church would be filled with people marked by Biblical integrity. 

Build Assignments:

  1. Fast, pray and repent.
  2. Contact all of your County leaders (often called County Commissioners).
    • Let them know you are praying for them. 
    • Ask any questions you may have.