Nehemiah Cared. Do You?

 

Nehemiah 1:1-5 (NIV)

The words of Nehemiah, son of Hakaliah: In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. 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.” When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days, I mourned, fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven.

Devotion:

The passage of Nehemiah 1:1-5 reveals the essence of a heart deeply burdened and moved by the plight of Jerusalem. Nehemiah, a cupbearer to the king in the citadel of Susa, hears a distressing report from his brother Hanani and other men from Judah. The news they bring is bleak: the Jewish remnant who had survived the exile were in great trouble and disgrace, and the wall of Jerusalem was broken down, with its gates burned with fire. This news strikes a chord in Nehemiah's heart, and his immediate response shows the urgency of the situation.

Nehemiah's first action is to inquire earnestly about the welfare of his fellow Jews and the state of Jerusalem. This inquiry is more than a mere formality; it is a genuine expression of concern and compassion. Nehemiah could have remained detached, comfortably serving in the king's court, insulated from his people's hardships. Instead, he chooses to engage with their suffering, showing that true compassion begins with a willingness to ask and understand the needs of others.

Upon hearing the dire situation in Jerusalem, Nehemiah's reaction is immediate and visceral. He sits down and weeps, mourning for days. This display of sorrow is not a fleeting moment of sadness but a deep, soul-wrenching grief over his people's and their city's brokenness. Nehemiah's tears are a testament to his profound love and empathy, showing the depth of his emotional response.

Nehemiah's mourning is accompanied by fasting and prayer before the God of heaven. This is not passive resignation but an active seeking of God's intervention. Nehemiah understands that true restoration and healing can only come from God. His prayer is a powerful example of intercession, standing in the gap for his people and pleading for divine mercy and assistance. Fasting, in this context, expresses his earnestness and total dependence on God. It is a humble acknowledgment that Jerusalem's challenges are beyond human capability to resolve, but not God's.

Nehemiah's response to the news about Jerusalem offers timeless lessons for us today. Nehemiah's example calls us to care deeply and compassionately in a world where it is easy to become desensitized to the suffering around us. It challenges us to ask about the needs of others, to weep with those who weep, and to bring our concerns before God in earnest prayer.

Moreover, Nehemiah's actions remind us that caring is not just an emotion but a catalyst for action. His inquiry, tears, and prayers set the stage for the tremendous work he would go on to do in rebuilding Jerusalem's walls. Like Nehemiah, we are called to be agents of change, allowing our compassion to drive us to seek God's guidance and take steps to make a difference in the world around us. His example is a model for us to follow, emphasizing our responsibility to act.

Nehemiah's story begins with a heart that cares deeply enough to ask, weep, and pray. This passage invites us to examine our hearts and cultivate a similar compassion for those in need. May we, like Nehemiah, be moved to action by the suffering we encounter, and may our prayers and efforts contribute to the healing and restoration that only God can bring.