Nehemiah is acting in faithfulness to God, in contrast to the rebellion that characterized the reason for their exile. God promised to bless faithfulness (Psalm 1; Neh. 1:5-9). Asking God to “remember” is a way of keeping God’s promises at the fore. Ultimately, of course, the faithfulness God would remember and bless is the perfect obedience of His Son on behalf of those He came to save. Asking God to remember the good we have done is in no way fueled by pride. Rather, it is steeped in humility and expressive of allegiance to God and submission to Him. 

Remember me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people. (Nehemiah 5:19, NKJV)

Well into the book of Nehemiah, we learn that he had been appointed governor in the land of Judah, after he had served in that role from 445 to 433 B. C. He was in a position of authority and was entitled to all the honor and perks that went along with that position.

The reason Nehemiah mentions his office, however, is not to boost his esteem in the eyes of others or to make demands of them. Rather, he emphasizes that he did not use his position for self-benefit or to lord it over the people. He says, “Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year until the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ate the governor’s provisions” (Neh. 5:14).

Though he had a right to partake of the governor’s provisions, he would not do so. Though he had authority to make demands, he refused to. Why? He tells us: “I did not do so, because of the fear of God” (Neh. 5:15).

In other words, Nehemiah saw himself and his role in reference to the will of God. In the model of a servant leader, he would neither abuse his authority nor misuse his position. He would be an example to the flock over which God had established him.

Nehemiah’s focus would not be his own kingdom but God’s. “Indeed, I also continued the work on this wall, and we did not buy any land. All my servants were gathered there for the work” (Neh. 5:16). Nehemiah would be diligent and focused on God’s work.

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