ROOTED RENEGADE

Nehemiah 6:5-8

Maybe you are like Nehemiah, holding a high position where you work. Probably not the king’s cupbearer like he was, but the CEO’s aide or a Governor’s right hand person. Whatever the position, there is usually a reputation behind it. Good or bad. 

Often we hold our reputations higher than our trust in God who can do all things. And often times it leads to putting ourselves on pedestals when really we need to remain at the feet of Jesus.

Nehemiah didn’t place himself above anyone else and remained loyal to God regardless of where he was positioned. And the king knew he could trust Nehemiah (reputation). Otherwise, he would not have been responsible for bringing the king his cup. In those days, poison would be placed in the drinking cup, so this position had to be held by someone with integrity.

However, enemies are always lurking to take advantage of those who maintain their integrity. Because those who uphold their integrity, no matter the cost, are the pure burning ones that God can also trust to do His will. And it upsets the enemy.

In the story, Sanballat used his own reputation as a way to convince (through manipulation) Nehemiah to come to talk to him. To stop the work which would have stopped the rebuilidng of the gates and walls around Jerusalem. But it didn’t work and here’s why:

1. You can’t discredit the reputation of someone who truly fears God more than man.
2. You can’t dangle the reputation of someone who fears the Lord as a bargaining chip by spreading lies and rumors.
3. Reputations mean nothing to someone who truly works for God because they know that God will defend them and the truth will prevail.

When our reputations or positions become more important to us than the Lord, open the door to the enemy. This allows giants permission to taunt us.

We can defeat them and close the door by taking ourselves off the pedestals and laying at the foot of the cross. Even Jesus did not place himself above anyone else. He walked in humility and submission to the Father knowing that there was no better place to be. 

He could have called down legions of angels to defend Him, but instead He chose submission. He didn’t come in kingly robes but in the form of a baby born in a stable.

We can’t take a higher place than Jesus took when He walked the earth. Because He didn’t die for our positions, He died for our salvation. And it is only at His feet, covered in His Blood, that we overcome.

Faythe