[You can find the new Nehemiah plan on YouVersion by clicking here!]
Intro
I know. Another Old Testament prophet. But, if you felt like the text in Hosea was challenging, you’ll be pleased to know that things move a little more smoothly in Nehemiah. Still, thirteen chapters about rebuilding a wall might feel potentially tedious to some.
The good news is that Nehemiah is about so much more than bricks and mortar. It’s actually a remarkable story about God using regular, God-fearing folks – not just the big, important leaders – to accomplish His redemptive purposes.
Nehemiah will teach us about compassion, community, repentance, covenant, and conviction. And it doesn’t end like you might expect. Join us?
Trouble and Shame
Text: Nehemiah 1:1-11a
Think back to when you first moved out of your parents’ house. (And if you can, try to remember a time when you didn’t have access to news and status updates in the palm of your hand.) Your family comes to visit for a long weekend and as you sit down for lunch together, you ask how things are going back home.
Only rather than “same old, same old” or “so-and-so’s having a baby and the Jones’s just put in a new swimming pool”, you hear, “Honestly? Things are really bad. Everyone you knew growing up is either dead or wishes they were dead. Your hometown is falling apart. Our police force has been destroyed and the whole city is absolute lawlessness.”
It absolutely breaks your heart, right?
This is where we meet our man Nehemiah today. He has just received word that the wall of Jerusalem (his hometown) was broken down and the gates destroyed by fire. The people he loves – his fellow Israelites with whom he and his family go way back – are in “great trouble and shame”. Things are low. Really low.
Look at how Nehemiah responds with compassion for his people. Even though he is 800 miles away, safely and comfortably out of harm’s way, testing wine and food for the king’s table; just knowing that his people are hurting lays him low. Really low.
The Bible tells us that when Nehemiah hears this news he weeps and mourns for days. His people and his home may as well be on the other side of the planet, yet knowing that they are without protection has him fasting and praying and confessing on their behalf.
We have a lot to learn in our study of the book of Nehemiah. But even in this first day, even in setting the stage for what is going to need to be accomplished in the hearts and lives of the people of Israel, the sovereign God is showing us something awesome about biblical compassion.
Lord, rend our hearts for the hurting today. Let us not allow our own comforts or safe distance from pain prevent us from seeing and loving others as you see and love them. Move us. Break us. And build us back up for your glory.
Click here to join the discussion with the SheReadsTruth Community: http://bit.ly/NehemiahDay1
Please disregard that comment to Peggy- it was directed @ comment on SRT website!!
NOT at her lovely response to Kellie that she wrote so well.
Praying for you Kellie, may you find peace
I, too, am looking forward to this study! To be made more aware of those around us- instead of avoiding looking someone in the eye or just going on our way, giving that vacant stare that says "Don'r bother me". Who knows what opportunities are being missed?! I think sometimes just acknowledging that person sitting on a corner with a sign "Willing to work" can lift their spirits tremendously! Even if you can't employ them, you can make them feel like they are human and worthy of interaction with you. Mpls has quite a problem with homelessness and even if you can't give a lot, just talking instead of avoiding these folks makes a huge difference! Sometimes I just offer to pay bus fare for someone so they can get out of the weather or just have a change of scene. it's not a lot, but i've seen a face just light up and that's a wonderful thing. And now maybe I can plant a seed that will one day be fruitful!
"Lord,rend our hearts for the hurting today. Let us not allow our own comforts or safe distance from pain prevent us from seeing and loving others as You see and love them. Move us. Break us. And build us back up for Your glory.
How beautiful! Oh, how it's needed!!
Praying for all my Sisters and for all the Hurting today. Praying that we all have the compassion of Jesus towards our neighbors, near and far!
AMEN!
I knew there was a reason I loved you! Replied above to your comment… and Mpls. is in my home state (born in St.Paul, but Stillwater is where my USA~ residence is, however I reside in Mexico for the last 18 yrs. off and mostly on for the last 10)
Is the Nehemiah devo on YouVersion? If so I could not find it. Could someone please clarify for me? Thank you and God Bless
Yes! https://www.youversion.com/reading-plans/515-she-…
SRT team, need to update the side panel on the blog for current study too! :0)
Wow, as I’m reading through everyone’s comments I am blown away by your willingness I stand in the gap for me and my family! This is truly such a blessing for us to know that we are being wrapped up in prayers during this difficult time. I pray that God blesses each and every one of you-you will never know how much we truly appreciate this. Thank you!!
I do!
I needed it so much as I struggled! Thanks for being open and sharing. Hoping you find strength to stand and help your husband, who may need a community support too!
I have been on both ends! Suicide survivor and surviving my own desire to find a way out!
I love that prayer written at the end. I'm reading a book entitled "Orphan Justice" right now and have been convicted about the ways in which I have let the troubles of this world not touch me because they are simply "out of sight and out of mind". How often do my prayers simply rest upon, "take this cup from me, Lord" and never touch the lives of others that I could be praying for.
Looking forward to this study in a book that I know barely anything about. Thanks so much for all the hard work you all put into these studies. It has energized me to read entire books of the Bible in a way that I never have before.
I am totally looking for that book. It sounds like it would challenge my heart in ways I'm not sure I'm prepared for. Thanks for sharing!
Hi JuneBug…this is the book. :)
http://www.amazon.com/Orphan-Justice-Orphans-Beyo…
I'll be writing a review of it sometime soon for MissionalWomen.com :)
I love to read The Message version of the Bible when I do studies, because it's great for storytelling, and written in really easy language. What really touched me in today's passage is the prayer he offers up. I should start all my prayers this way! “God, God-of-Heaven, the great and awesome God, loyal to his covenant and faithful to those who love him and obey his commands: Look at me, listen to me. Pay attention to this prayer of your servant that I’m praying day and night in intercession for your servants…"
Looking forward to completing this study.
Nehemiah had a finger on the pulse of his nation. He knew what it meant for Israel, being in covenant with God, and He was broken and sorrowful for the wickedness and trouble that had come to his own people. God used Nehemiah to not only rebuild the fallen wall–which was a national treasure–but to also to help rebuild a people's identity. God's people had been scattered for so long and now many were returning back home confused, bewildered and feeling "great trouble and disgrace" after the wall's destruction.
I think about my own life and how people prayed for me, sacrificed their time and energy and helped rebuild this "exile's" crumbled down walls. I needed help to sort out all the rubble and to rebuild, reclaim and strengthen the identity that is rightfully mine–a child of God. A daughter of the King. And God asks me to do the same. Do I have my finger on His pulse? When I hear of a need, am I burdened enough to fall on my knees and go where I am commissioned to go? To step up and help others find their identity in Christ?
"The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the exiles of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:2-3
AMEN! So worth it to flip to the next page and read this wonderful comment and insights Junebug as always…
… so many good ones on page 1 too but for some reason this struck me afresh whereas on the other page I was self absorbed and caught off guard by the suicide and need for prayer, comfort, forgiveness, release, the beautiful replies and then others later that commented… that once again I lost my frame of thought before I got to the place to comment. I continued to pray and intercede as a went through each person's comments for that situation because I personally have been in that place of loosing a dear one to suicide, and the aftermath, the family but I was unable to gather my thoughts in a prayer so I let the Holy Spirit lead me as I meandered through the rest of the really loving replies and thoughts already on Nehemiah. This is exactly what Nehemiah is calling us to as a community, SRT!
Your reflection Junebug, takes us back to our sister in Christ as does others and Nehemiah to have our finger on His pulse, feel His heart, reach out in love, gather around her (especially since she beared her soul here) and fall on our knees … so I echo the many prayers and Raechel's:
Lord, rend our hearts for the hurting today. Let us not allow our own comforts or safe distance from pain prevent us from seeing and loving others as you see and love them. Move us. Break us. And build us back up for your glory.
Now to gather my thoughts and maybe return to pray.
And the next time I come to this place, I will not read comments until I write mine. (Geezh)
Peggy, your last comment made me smile! Easy to get sidetracked, eh? :)
SMILE:0) oh well… I was so full after reading, I just get so sidetracked by others and the needs, I loose my focus and my train of thought alot more easily since passing the 55 yr. old mark…and nearing 60! Please pray that God helps me stay focused. Thanks!
Great reflections JuneBug, well said!! :)
Oh, a finger on the pulse….hearts still beating, if there is a pulse….let us gather together and pray whether the pulse is strong or weak and irregular. Help us to be Your First Responders, Lord!
Amen! I love that! God's "First Responders." That inspires me to dig even deeper Carolynmimi. Thanks for that word picture.
So excited about Nehemiah! Let's tear down some strongholds and build some walls!
Well said, Let's DO just THAT!