Throughout history, every generation has faced defining moments that challenge the values of their nation. For my parents’ generation, it was the shock of the assassinations of the Kennedys and Martin Luther King Jr., which forced the country to confront the issue of civil rights. For my generation, it was 9/11. When those planes hit the towers, we recognized we were in a war with terrorism that changed the way we thought about life.
Today, we face a different kind of battle—a struggle over what will ultimately shape the values of our communities and our nation. It’s a challenge similar to the one Nehemiah faced with the Israelites. After rebuilding the physical wall of Jerusalem for protection, he had to contend with how godliness would actually play out in the future of the city. He understood that the goal wasn’t simply safety; it was living faithfully and cultivating godliness.
The Apostle Paul explained to Timothy why godliness is so vital: physical training has some value, but godliness holds value for all things. It carries a promise for both the present life and the life to come (1 Timothy 4:8). Living godly allows us to experience what Jesus taught us to pray for: life on earth as it is in heaven. That desire drove Nehemiah to leave his high-ranking government position and commit to building a city where godliness would bring incredible blessing to His people.
Nehemiah showed us three essential tools for strengthening godliness in homes and communities. First, he prioritized the Word of God. In Nehemiah 8, he gathered the people so Ezra the priest could read the Law to them. This must be our first step as well. We must study Scripture, meditate on it, and practice it. As Deuteronomy 32:47 reminds us, these words are not idle; “These are your life.”
Knowing the Word isn’t enough, though; we also have to submit to it by allowing the Holy Spirit to work in our lives. In Nehemiah 9, the people fasted, confessed their sins, and submitted themselves to God, essentially saying, “I don’t want my way; I want your better way.” Spirit-led repentance is what will truly mark our communities for godliness, creating a foundation for transformation that lasts.
The third tool Nehemiah used was the people of the community, which to me, represents the Church. In Nehemiah 11, after laying a spiritual foundation, one out of every ten people moved into Jerusalem to strengthen the heart of the city. To strengthen godliness today, we must be the Church Jesus spoke of—actively serving in our neighborhoods, schools, and communities. Jesus promised in Matthew 16:18, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”
When we commit to living godly lives, we spark transformation that ripples through families, neighborhoods, and generations. As we study Scripture, submit to the Spirit, and serve others as the Church, our communities will shine as beacons of faith, hope, and love!
