Nehemiah 1
Scripture
Nehemiah 1:4
“When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.”
Observation
Nehemiah was a servant of King Artaxerxes, who served as the king's cup bearer, and was living at the fortress of Susa. It was then when he received a visit from his brother Hanani. Nehemiah asked his brothers how things were going in Jerusalem. His brother told him that things were not going so well over there. Nehemiah was told that the people of Jerusalem were living without walls to protect them from their enemies, and that the people were being constantly harassed and oppressed. Nehemiah knew it was because of the people's unfaithfulness of keeping God's laws and decrees which caused them to be in that predicament. Nehemiah also knew of God's promise to His people. He knew if the people would repent from their sinful ways and return to God, that God would rescue them and bring them back, no matter how far His people have been exiled. So the first thing Nehemiah did was get on his knees and he prayed. Nehemiah's heart broke for God's people. Verse 4 says that he mourned, fasted and prayed for days. Nehemiah confessed not only the people's sins, but his own. He interceded on behalf of the people of Jerusalem, in hopes that God will forgive and restore.
Understanding
God often stirs people's hearts before He moves in their circumstances.
In this case God stirred a strong compassion in Nehemiah's heart for the people of Jerusalem. Nehemiah felt compelled to pray for God's people. He felt the people's pains and fears. He identified with the people. His heart broke for them. This is why he felt it so vital that he stepped in on their behalf, and he fasted and prayed for days. He knew if anything was going to change the people of Jerusalem's circumstances, it would have to come from God.
I know we are now living in a world with so much terror, so much violence, and so much uncertainties that surrounds it. That is why we need more people like Nehemiah in it. People whose hearts break for the broken, and are willing to pray and fast to God on their behalf. And with today marking a day in which a new Presidential regime is elected, who knows what is to come next?! All I know is if we expect God to step in and be present in our circumstances, we should all seek Him wholeheartedly, and pray. We need to pray on behalf of this nation, and it's leaders. We need to pray for all of God's people . We need to understand if God is going to move in any of our situations, it's going to start from within our own hearts.
“And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.” 2 Corinthians 1:10-11 NLT
“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.”-1 Timothy 2:1 NLT
Life Application
Pray for God's voice to be heard as change takes place.