Ever played
the game Two Truths and A Lie? It’s a quick and fun way to get to know
people in a group. You describe yourself by telling two things which are
true and one which is not, and the others must guess the lie. For
example, I might say that I got my first speeding ticket six months ago, I got
lost in Rio, and I made my first B in college in piano lessons. Or my
husband might say that he can ride a unicycle, has starred in a British movie,
and his favorite color is green.
Determining
which are true and which is false is all the fun, but Nehemiah wasn’t playing
games when he described his friend, Hananiah, whom he put in charge of
Jerusalem—and he only gave two truths and not the lie. After the wall
around town was complete and the gates were set in place, someone needed
enforce the city security schedule. “I put in charge of Jerusalem my
brother Hanani, along with Hananiah, the commander of the citadel, because he
was a man of integrity and feared God more than most men do”(Neh. 7:2).
Truth
#1—Hananiah was a man of integrity. He told the truth. He lived the
truth. He couldn’t be bribed or bought, and he would not say or do
something that wasn’t right even if it brought him power, popularity, or
pleasure.
Truth
#2—Hananiah feared God more than most. His reason for doing what was
right was not simply his own reputation but his relationship with God.
Hananiah lived each day in awe, astonishment, reverence, honor, and respect for
God. More than most people around him, Hananiah recognized God’s power,
realized God’s holiness, and had a healthy fear of his amazing, gracious, and
loving God.
No wonder
Nehemiah chose Hananiah to be in charge! He was honest in word and deed,
and he honored God highly each day.
May
those two truths describe us as well.
And
never be a lie.
(Btw, just
in case you’re wondering, I’ve actually never gotten a speeding ticket, and my
husband’s favorite color is orange.)
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