In The Word
Read: Nehemiah 1
Nehemiah’s Grief for the Exiles
1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah.
Now it happened in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in Susa the capitol, 2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, and some men from Judah came; and I asked them about the Jews who had escaped and had survived the captivity, and about Jerusalem. 3 And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who survived the captivity are in great distress and disgrace, and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates have been burned with fire.”
4 Now when I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 5 I said, “Please, Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps the covenant and faithfulness for those who love Him and keep His commandments: 6 let Your ear now be attentive and Your eyes open, to hear the prayer of Your servant which I am praying before You now, day and night, on behalf of the sons of Israel Your servants, confessing the sins of the sons of Israel which we have committed against You; I and my father’s house have sinned. 7 We have acted very corruptly against You and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses. 8 Remember, please, the word which You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples; 9 but if you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them, though those of you who have been scattered were in the most remote part of the heavens, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place where I have chosen to have My name dwell.’ 10 They are Your servants and Your people whom You redeemed by Your great power and by Your strong hand. 11 Please, Lord, may Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant and the prayer of Your servants who delight to revere Your name, and please make Your servant successful today and grant him mercy before this man.”
Now I was the cupbearer to the king.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Nehemiah’s brother had returned from Jerusalem with troubling news that the city was suffering shame because its walls were broken down and its gates were burned. Nearly 100 years earlier, a large group of Jews had returned to Israel to rebuild the temple. But the city was still in ruins, and there was much work that needed to be done. God was looking for someone to rebuild the city and its walls to restore safety and order. Nehemiah was that man. He was serving in a prominent role as the king’s cupbearer. Upon hearing the news, Nehemiah was immediately burdened for his city. It did not matter that he was over 700 miles away and living in luxury with a good job. His heart was touched, and he wanted to do something to save his city. For four months, Nehemiah wept and prayed.
Whenever God wants to get a work done, He lays hold of willing people to accomplish His will. Has God been stirring in your heart to do something for His Kingdom? Maybe it is helping someone with food or house work. Maybe it is serving at church. Maybe it is sharing Christ with someone. Maybe it is praying for someone with a great burden. Some people would rather not know about an issue because the information might bring obligation, but God shows us a need so that we will do something about it. Let’s shout, “Here am I, send me” and do God’s work.