Nehemiah heard the report of how the walls of Jerusalem were in ruins, and it broke his heart, and he wept.
Nehemiah 1:3-4
They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”
4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven
.We find Nehemiah crying out to God and pleading with Him. Confessing his sins and the sins of the people.
Then he asks God this:
Nehemiah 1:11
Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”
He saw a way forward, but He needed God to act. For God to open the heart of the king. For God to make a way.
It causes me to ask: what am I broken about? What sins do I need to confess, for me and others?
What is my appeal to God about? Is it coming from a deep love for Him? His glory? For others in whom He loves?
For me, there are friends and neighbours and a new community. I would love for them to come to know the hope found in Jesus. I observe their lives full of brokenness and hurt, but they shut out from God and try to live without Him.
Oh, how Jesus loves them. What am I going to do about it? Father, we confess our sins and the sins of those around us. We plead with you to open their hearts. Please bring us to the people of peace in our community. Those who have the influence to open doors to others so they may come to know the love of Christ.
