What matters to God? Part II

This week, we are studying how to make our lives count for God. We are earnestly looking at what matters to God, and finding some answers first in the seventh chapter of Nehemiah, then branching out into the Word for more.
Let's dive in again!

Yesterday, we talked about worship being important. It matters to God.
Let's look at the next two verses in our chapter:

 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 people do. 3 I said to them, “The gates of Jerusalem are not to be opened until the sun is hot. While the gatekeepers are still on duty, have them shut the doors and bar them. Also appoint residents of Jerusalem as guards, some at their posts and some near their own houses.” (Nehemiah 7:2-3, NIV)

When I read these two verses, I'm impressed by the fact that godly character matters to God. Our old friend, Nehemiah, could not do everything himself. It just wasn't possible! He was an exemplary leader, though, with amazing discernment and with "street savvy" too. He knew that in order for him to be effective, he was going to need to delegate some responsibilities to other men.
What did he look for as they handed him their resumes?
Well, certain administrative skills were going to be necessary.
People skills would be vital.
A healthy dose of wisdom would be truly helpful.
But the main requirement?
Godly character.
The first man that he picked was Hanani. Remember him?

Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 1:2, NIV)

It was Hanani who came to him at the palace with the sad report of the condition of the city of Jerusalem. Nehemiah mentions that Hanani was his brother; he appoints him as the civil leader of Jerusalem.
Next, Hananiah is appointed as the military leader. Notice that Nehemiah does not tout a long list of military accomplishments or the number of battles that he'd won. Instead, Hananiah is appointed because he was faithful and feared God.
He charges his two new leaders with not opening the city gates until the sun was hot, and with bolting them and standing guard when the gates were shut. Nehemiah also tells them to appoint guards from the residents of the city . . .

Did you notice that first godly character trait up there? Faithfulness.
The Hebrew word is (as is the case so many times) much more descriptive than the one word, "faithfulness." It carries with it the meaning of reliable, truthful, and firm. It means that Hananiah was a man that could be counted on. When he gave you his word, it really meant something! He spoke the truth and if he promised to do something, you could rest assured that it would happen. If we want our lives to count for God, we need to work at becoming a faithful person.

After all, God is faithful, and it's our desire to become more like Him.

Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,    your faithfulness to the skies. (Psalm 36:5)

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. (Deuteronomy 7:9)

the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. (I John 2:6, NASB)

Faithfulness is one of the fruits that the Holy Spirit will produce in our lives as we walk with Him.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ...  (Galatians 5:22, NASB)

Faithfulness is also vitally important in relationships. If we don't trust someone, we won't allow ourselves to get close to that person. We will "keep our distance," because the trust just isn't there. Since our God is faithful, always speaks truth, and always keeps His Word, then as we grow in godly character and strive to be more like Him, we should grow in faithfulness.

How do we grow in faithfulness? Is there a recipe? A formula?
Stay tuned!
We'll look into that tomorrow!