Nehemiah 12:43 And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.

It is interesting, and meaningful, that Nehemiah specifies that God had given the people great joy. There was joy in accomplishment, but this was more than that, a recognition that God had acted on their behalf and rescued the city that bore His name. Nehemiah specifically includes all gender and age groups in his description, in addition to naming the leaders to a degree that tangles the tongues of non-Hebrew speakers. A few of the names we recognize, such as Ezra, but most are complete unknowns to us. Nehemiah, however, was careful to give credit, showing how and why he was such an effective leader. And throughout his account, Nehemiah gives God the credit, from the first to the last. That’s why this brief book is a valuable resource for anyone wanting to grow in leadership. God gives each of His children different gifts, and Nehemiah was bountifully blessed in that of leadership. (Romans 12:6-8)

I have never felt I was particularly gifted in leadership, and indeed in Motivational Gifts testing (based on Romans 12) I come out quite low in that area. I am prone not to give credit properly, just as I am not very good at delegation. However, I am growing, and I would say I am a better leader now than I used to be. The past two days have been a reminder of the difficulties of going it alone, since we had a death in the church and none of the other church members were free to help out. The load on Cathy and me was quite heavy! However, the Lord got us through, and the family involved was blessed. I think the non-Christians were actively drawn toward faith, particularly as the Lord gave me multiple opportunities to speak His truth to them, and not just from the pulpit. I do pray that the seeds that were sown would bear abundant fruit for eternal life, for the whole extended family to be drawn into the family of God.

Father, I do thank You for all that You did over the past three days, actually. I continue to pray Your comfort for the widower and his children in particular, and I pray that my leadership, in the church and otherwise, would consistently lead people to Christ, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!