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HOW WILL YOU BE REMEMBERED? (NEHEMIAH 3:6-21) LENT DAY 21

REFLECTION
The theme for our reflection is “How will you be remembered?” To be remembered means to be kept in people’s memories because of a particular action or quality. “How will you be remembered?” means what impact are you currently making or what useful or beneficial qualities do you possess which will continue to linger in the memories of today’s generation and posterity after you have departed from this earth? In other words, will your qualities, works, and contributions to humanity become a subject matter of history? We shall reflect on the fact that people will remember us for our service to humanity and God.

Beloved in the Lord, history is one of the most important subjects studied in schools because it captures and remembers the remarkable contributions of people to human development. The Bible is no exception, Nehemiah 3:6-21 is a historical account or a memoir of people’s contribution in diverse ways towards the rebuilding of the Jerusalem wall after many decades of ruins. These were ordinary people who rose to the occasion in challenging times to do extraordinary things. Indeed, history always remembers people who went the extra mile to sacrifice their time, resources and entire lives for humanity and God. It is for this reason, Hebrews 11 recounts the remarkable faith of some Biblical figures. Again, Acts of the Apostles also captures the history of the early church and the missionary activities of the Apostles. The Bible also acknowledges and helps us to remember Biblical heroes such as Joseph, Samson, Esther, David and ultimately Jesus Christ. It is important to note that Jesus Christ’s sacrifice is an exception in human history. His work of salvation is not limited to human history but transcends human history, Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11). Again, apart from our family, church, society and workplace remembering our deeds or works, God also takes note of our works and will judge us accordingly. In Revelation 14:13, John said, “Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labour, for their deeds will follow them.” (Revelation 14:13) Beloved in the Lord, How will humanity and God remember you? Will you be remembered for your selfishness or selflessness, your goodness or wickedness, your fidelity or unfaithfulness, your integrity or dishonesty, your hard work or unproductivity, your morality or immorality? How will you be remembered? Will your children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren or posterity be proud of your current achievements and contributions to society or will they wish to disassociate themselves from you? Some people have changed their names because they were not proud of the things their family names were known for. Dear friend in the Lord, we have the opportunity to honour God and serve humanity with all our strength, ability, talents and spiritual gifts. Tomorrow is not promised, if it must be done then it must done now and it must be done well to the glory of God.

It is remarkable how the contributions and efforts of these selfless and patriotic Israelites were meticulously documented. Nehemiah teaches us the importance of documenting events and facts which form the subject matter of history. We need to let our children and posterity acknowledge the contributions of their forefathers and ‘foremothers’. The historical account of ordinary men and women who have achieved remarkable things serves as great motivation for the next generation to do more and better. We need to keep records of people who have gone the extra mile for the growth of our church and society. The greatest honour we can give these people and their families is to properly register their names and achievements in the annals of history. We must not be biased in keeping a record of history but must be fair to even the least who does something worthy of emulation. Our historical account must not only take note of the rich and affluent who are easily noticeable but also the poor and inconspicuous people. Without the combined effort of the leaders and ordinary people, poor and rich, skilful and unskillful citizens of Israel in Nehemiah 3:6-21 the walls of Jerusalem would not have been built in a record time of 52 days. ” The wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. (Nehemiah 6:15) Everyone who played an important role in the development of the church and society deserves to be duly acknowledged in the annals of history.

In summary, we have reflected on the theme “How will you be remembered?” We have learnt that we shall be remembered for our service to humanity and God. Shalom.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit empower us to serve humanity and God to the best of our abilities and may history remember us as good and faithful stewards worthy of commendation by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on the judgement day.