Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favourable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. (2 Timothy 4:2)
A good leader does not stop with rebuke. Nehemiah took steps to correct problems—steps we should take first as leaders when we are wrong and steps we should require of those in our organisation when they blow it.
- Determine to stop it. People occasionally ask me what they should do when convicted of sin. The answer is simple: Stop! Exercise your God-given will to eliminate the wrongdoing, right now. You cannot gradually stop sinning.
- Make specific plans to correct the situation as quickly as possible. Nehemiah confronted the bankers and asked for immediate action: “this very day” (Nehemiah 5:11). True repentance for wrong always inspires a desire to provide restitution. This is not an attempt to buy forgiveness or to throw money at a moral problem. It’s a sincere desire to reverse—as much as possible—the damage one has caused.
- Declare your plans for correction in a promise before God. Nehemiah moved quickly to seal the decision before the loss of money could change any minds: “So I called the priests and made them take an oath to act in accordance with this promise” (5:12 NASB). Nehemiah knew human nature and how to settle an issue!
- Realise the serious nature of your vow to God. The Jewish people took vows very seriously. Unlike false religions, they had experience with a real God, who would hold them to their promises. Nehemiah chose to be dramatic as he reminded the people that the Lord would be watching.
If there’s ever a time to take God seriously, it’s when we make a promise to Him.
In the end, once the people came to terms with God’s Word, corrected their actions, and committed their decision to the Lord, they were able to praise Him (see 5:13). Shalom returned, along with the sound of construction and God’s special favour.
