Prayer Journal
Monday, November 6, 2000
"After the wall had been rebuilt and I had set the doors in place, the gatekeepers and the singers and the Levites were appointed. I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah, the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most men do." Neh 7:1,2
When we consider the person best able to lead us, we are naturally drawn to those with more seeming ability and persuasive personality. We know that integrity is the most important thing a leader can possess, but it is hard to determine who truly has it. We hear many claims about integrity when candidates are seeking election but too often we are disappointed by their moral failures once they're in office.
History is our most reliable teacher. It reminds us that our nation was built on the testimony of men and women of integrity. A further look into their personal lives also reveals that they were deeply devoted to God.
Integrity and personal faith in God - inseparably linked or can a person have one without the other? Paul told Timothy, "The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden." (1 Tim 5:24,25) It is very possible that integrity (or the lack of it) is the best indicator of one's spiritual condition, exceeding even a person's verbal profession and/or reputation.
What is your profession? Do you claim to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? If so, does your life demonstrate a fear of God which is confirmed by your life? Do people call you a person of integrity?
God grant that we, as His people, lead lives worthy of our calling. May we not expect more of our leaders than we do of ourselves. May the world say of us, "They are a people of integrity"
"Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you." 1 Tim 6:20,21
(1) Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society
(2) The images used herein were obtained from the Learning Company's ClickArt Christian Graphics Deluxe product, (c)1999 The Learning Company, Inc and its subsidiaries, 88 Roland Way, Novato, CA 94945 USA. All Rights Reserved.
