| Our verse to DATE the Word on January 4 (1/4) is Nehemiah 1:4 |
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| Nehemiah 1:4 says, “So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.” |
| Heartbroken to Action The book of Nehemiah begins with a delegation of Jews from Jerusalem visiting Nehemiah at Shushan where Nehemiah was serving as the king’s cupbearer. In verse two we read that Nehemiah ASK a question. This question may have been just a courtesy question or even a curious question or it may have been a very intentional fact-finding question in which Nehemiah wants to know HOW ARE THINGS IN JERUSALEM. He specifically asked about the Jews who had escaped, who had survived the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. He wanted to know about the people and the place. Verse 3 reports the answer to his question with the delegation saying, “The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.” We may read this quickly, but I beg you to pause and ponder. This is more than a status report. It is a critical analysis of a group of people and a very special city. The people are in GREAT DISTRESS and REPROACH. There is tremendous fear as their enemies ridicule them. The walls that provide security, as well as significance, are broken down and the gates that would serve as checkpoints are nonexistent. GREAT DISTRESS WITH GREAT DESTRUCTION. How will Nehemiah react and yes, RESPOND to such dismal, dreadful, shall we say agonizing news? After all, he is MILES away and he himself is not really impacted by the misery and pain. He is the king’s cupbearer that has him in very high places around very important people. Life is not too bad personally for Nehemiah. Will he feel bad? Will he shrug his shoulders? Will he take this to heart and decide something must be done? Verse 4 now tells us of his reaction and his response: “So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days;” That is his reaction. He is heartbroken. What he has heard with his ears has gripped his heart. He will not dismiss the news. Verse 4 continues, “I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.” This is his response. He goes to work. No, not work with his hands but with his knees. He knows the work that must be done to bring about change NEEDS GOD. In these moments a DREAM of born that immediately DEMANDED DEPENDENCE on GOD! He begins to FAST AND PRAY!! Nehemiah’s heart is broken and burdened and now he GOES to …… not the king (yet)….not Jerusalem (yet)…not even his friends (yet). HE GOES TO GOD. May I ask you if there is anything that is breaking your heart? Maybe I should be a little more direct. Are you asking about the conditions of people and places so that your heart might be broke? It is easy. is it not, to live in our own little bubble and forget there is a world (a neighborhood, a neighbor) in GREAT DISTRESS? I think based on Nehemiah’s reaction and response to the painful report we should ask what is your usual reaction and response to bad news. Is it easily dismissed? Or does a dream start forming of how you can make a difference? I think an action that should come from reading about Nehemiah is that we pray a prayer that says, “God break my heart with the things that break Your heart!” As you think on Nehemiah 1:4 I am praying that you will see yourself as a NEHEMIAH who will live to make a difference for the Lord. AND Nehemiah was a difference-maker. Here in Nehemiah 1 the people are in great distress. When you get to the end of Nehemiah 8 they are in great gladness. He made a DIFFERENCE! I pray you will a dream that drives you to your knees in total dependence on God and you will make a difference! Verse to DATE the Word on January 4 (1/4) is Nehemiah 1:4. It says, “So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.” How will life be different for others because you became a NEHEMIAH? Continue Strong with a broken heart! And remember to DATE THE WORD |