January 16: Nehemiah 1:1-11

The Concern (verse 4)

This verse summarizes a burden he carried for four months. Has God placed a burden on your heart for His people?

Let’s face it…It is tempting to see a world of need right around us and cut ourselves off emotionally, because the feelings can be overwhelming. I admire Nehemiah because he allowed himself to respond emotionally to the situation that was presented to him. He:

• Sat down—whether he fell back in his seat or took his seat, this was news he literally could not take standing up (I can picture him seated, leaning down with his head in his hands and grieving over the news)
• Wept—I know people who seldom cry, even if they are sensitive people. I don’t think Nehemiah was a “weeper”, but the dire situation brought tears. One can care deeply about something without crying, but the tears do speak volumes here.
• Mourned for days—actually, four months lapse between chapters one and two, when the king recognized that something was affecting Nehemiah visibly. This was more than a momentary feeling, but a burden he kept carrying and it would not be lifted until he was able to do something about the situation.
• Fasting—a spiritual discipline practiced by serious spiritual people throughout the centuries. This is not just about temporarily giving up food; this is about focusing on spiritual matters and signaling to the flesh that it is not in control of my life. When we say “no” to fleshly desires, we open the door to the Spirit.
• Praying—Communication with God is the solution to every problem, every need. The fact that this was Nehemiah’s first response rather than last resort is commendable. Nehemiah knew the importance and power of prayer. He understood the concept of “praying without ceasing.” His account notes numerous moments of prayer.

From everywhere the conclusion is reached that private, personal prayer is as a general rule neglected by those who call themselves believers. Many make no use of the privilege; they go to church, they confess Christ, but they know little of personal fellowship with God. Many do pray, but in a spirit of haste, and more as a matter of custom or for the easing of conscience. They cannot really testify to any joy or blessing from it. What is worse, the many who know something of prayer’s blessedness, confess that they know little about faithful, regular fellowship with the Father throughout the day as something that is as necessary as their daily bread.

Living a Prayerful Life by Andrew Murray.

• Before the God of heaven—The key to prayer is not just that we pray, but the one to whom we address our prayers. Nehemiah’s life was oriented toward God.

APPLICATION

What burden has God laid on your heart? If you have no burden, are you willing to allow God to place a burden on your heart? Note: a burden will spur you on to do something about that burden!