Nehemiah 4:15-20 (NIV)

When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to our own work.

From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me.

Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!”

Explanation:

In this passage, we see the people of God living out what God was calling them to do. They were rebuilding and restoring the wall of Jerusalem after it had been laying in ruins. The rebuilding was not an easy task, but then imagine your enemies trying to come against you, to attack and destroy, and tear down your hard work. That is what happened in this passage. The enemy was great, and kept looking for an opportunity to attack. But the people of God did not waiver. Some of the people stood guard day and night, protecting the city. Others were there to do the physical labor and rebuild the wall; these individuals kept swords by their side to be ready for attack. They were not only ready; they continued the work. It seemed like everything was against them, but they kept on working for the Lord. They didn’t give up. They kept their eyes on God and continued the task He had called them to do.

I feel this passage is incredibly relevant for the season we currently find ourselves in. As I hear the devastating things going on in our world, my heart just breaks. If I’m being honest, the ministry and the calling God has placed on me feels so big and overwhelming. I feel as though the enemy is having a hay day right now, and trying to lead others to Jesus feels like a huge and often impossible task. There have been many moments when I have wanted to quit, to just hide in my house away from everything because that would be easier, right?! But when I look to God, He reminds me to keep going. In fact, last week, as I was wrestling with the things happening around us, I clearly heard God say, “Keep going, keep being the light, keep doing My work. Don’t give up!”

The work of God is hard. It can be intimidating and overwhelming, especially when you feel as though everyone and everything in this world is against you. It can often feel as though the voice of the enemy is louder, and often times incredibly threatening. But God continues to say, “Keep going, keep doing My work, keep sharing the light and love of Christ with the world.”

My friends, this world is in chaos right now, and it often feels like the enemy is winning. But let us not forget Who will get the ultimate victory. Let us not forget that God will win in the end. Do your part to be ready. I encourage you to keep going, keep doing the things God has called you to do. God is in this battle with us, and in the end, He will win. So, don’t give up. Keep going!

Application:

1. What stood out to you in today’s passage?

2. Why is it often so much easier to give up, than continue to do the work God is calling us to do?

3. What is a challenge you are facing right now that feels like “rebuilding the walls”?

4. What is the work God is calling you to do? What are you doing to be prepared and ready to see it through?

Devo Plus:

Read all of Nehemiah 4 to get a little more understanding and insight into the rebuilding of the wall.

Prayer:

God, we know as we continue to walk this life, You will call us to do things that others will oppose. We recognize that we need You. God, will You give us the strength, courage, and stamina to keep going, to continue to do the work You are calling us to do, no matter how hard or challenging it may be? And when we feel as though the enemy is winning, will You please give us peace and remind us that You win in the end? You are bigger than our enemy and bigger than the struggles along the way. God, we want to continue to do Your work, and we need Your strength to keep going. Meet us in those places today. It is all for Your glory. Amen.

Nehemiah 1:1-11 (ESV)

The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah.

Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel, that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.”

As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father's house have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’ They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.”

Now I was cupbearer to the king.

Explanation:

Often times in scripture, we get a snapshot or a singular moment of someone’s life. Good or bad, we get to experience the moment when something occurs that significantly impacts their lives forever. It’s very rare that we see the entire layout of their lives from beginning to end. That would be quite an extensive text, had each person in scripture been written about in that way. Therefore, we are frequently left to fill in the rest of the story, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and these creative brains God has given us. Take our reading today, for instance. We know that Nehemiah’s life was not just a singular day or moment. Nehemiah, like all of us, had a life story. However, if we pay close attention to the details of our reading, we can see that Nehemiah was a man with a prepared heart.

Let’s look at his response to the news he received. He cried out to God, a God that Nehemiah faithfully knew. He wept and mourned for days. My assumption is this was not Nehemiah’s first prayer to God. The text reveals that Nehemiah knew the truth of Who God was, as well as the devastating condition that sin had left God’s people in. He was a man who then, in faith, boldly stepped out to act on his burdens. I assume there were many days, weeks, and months of seeking God that led up to this point. It was the rhythm of his life that prepared his heart for the news he received in today’s reading. It’s Nehemiah’s readiness that is so admirable.

Nehemiah’s example reveals to us that at any point in time, God may desire to work uniquely through us for His Kingdom. What an unbelievable privilege that is. Are we ready? Are we in a place to hear and receive what God wants to speak to us? And are our hearts conditioned to be ready to take action, if and when that day comes?

Application:

1. What about Nehemiah’s prayer tells you that he was a man who loved God and wanted to serve Him?

2. How do you think Nehemiah prepared himself for this day?

3. Do you think you are ready to hear and receive whatever God speaks to you, as well as act in faith to what He may call you to?

4. What habits, behaviors, or priorities of your life keep you from being ready to listen and act?

5. What action steps can you start to take today that can ready your heart to hear and act for God?

Devo Plus:

Take an extra 20 – 30 minutes today to earnestly seek God in prayer, as Nehemiah did. Pray for your personal faith, but also for our church and community.

Prayer:

Jesus, we still live in a world that is devastated by sin. My life included. I want to be ready to do whatever it is that You have for me, from this day forward. I need Your Holy Spirit to prepare my heart for these things. Jesus, You are what matters most to me, and next is Your people. Help me, starting today, to love You, seek You, and strive to be more like You in every area of my life.

1 Corinthians 1:26-28 (NLT)

Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.

Explanation:

In the first chapter of Corinthians, the apostle Paul is addressing division in the Corinthian church—the result of church members taking their focus off Jesus Christ, and pledging their loyalty to various church leaders. To readjust their focus, Paul reminds them why they should never esteem the teachings of men and women above the written word of God—His kingdom operates on a level that shames worldly wisdom.

By design, the gospel message has nothing to do with anything this world considers valuable. Our intelligence cannot save us, our money is worthless, and the most powerful people on the planet have no influence in God’s economy (kingdom). In fact, salvation is not received by anything our flesh can accomplish—we are saved only when our heart believes, by faith, that Jesus Christ is who He says He is (Ephesians 2:8).

Think of all the gifts God lavishly shares with His children—grace, mercy, forgiveness, the list goes on—but the one thing God will not share with anyone is His glory. He uses the powerless, the poorest, and the least intellectual among us to build His kingdom so no one can claim eternal life through their own words and deeds.

This passage is a humility check for me when I find myself taking credit for insight God has given me, or trying to impress someone with my spiritual acumen. I remember that God didn’t choose me because I’m smart or influential; He chose me because I couldn’t save myself and had nothing to offer Him except my heart. In the end, that is all God needs to reach a lost and hurting world, one person at a time.

Application:

1. What are a couple of things this world considered powerful and important, but God exposed as powerless and meaningless? (Hint: 2020)

2. Why is God’s plan of salvation so easy to understand?

3. How is it possible to be humble and scholarly (like Paul) at the same time?

Devo Plus:

Read all of 1 Corinthians 1 for a deeper understanding of this passage.

Prayer:

Ask God to reveal any distractions that could be causing you to lose your focus on Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:13-17 (NLT)

So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”

And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as “temporary residents.”

Explanation:

I had a little bit of broken-record syndrome when I was raising my boys. When they began to give thought to dating, I over-emphasized that they could only expect to attract what they were. If they wanted someone who was nicely groomed, they had to be nicely groomed. If they wanted someone who was interesting, they had to be interesting. If they wanted someone physically fit, they had to be physically fit. If they wanted someone who was kind, they had to be kind. If they wanted someone who was responsible, they had to be responsible. My point was they had to BE what they wanted to attract. They could not find “that” girl with the qualities they wanted, and then try to quickly attain those qualities to attract her. They had to BE, already.

I wanted them to prepare, because I wanted them to be ready.

It turns out that being ready is one of the most profound things we experience in life. Especially in moments. We have to be ready for “moments.”

Can you recall the last time your heart soared because you nailed a moment for God? Remember those moments you said the right thing, had the right response, did the best thing, represented Him well, pleased Him?

Imagine being so synchronized with God’s heart that at any moment, we would be His hands, His feet, His car ride, His listening ear, His compassion, His hot meal, His loving care, His groceries bought, His hospital visit, His card written, His bill paid, His voice spoken, His lonely comforted, His discouraged encouraged, His cold warmed.

Imagine nailing it for Him.

But we don’t just luck into being a vital, thriving vessel of God.

It only happens with preparation and attention.

✔️Prepare your minds (read your Bible)

✔️Exercise your self-control (yes, you can be purposed about self-control)

✔️Focus your hope in Jesus

✔️Practice obedience (which actually means practice repenting and getting back up)

✔️Live in reverent fear of your Heavenly Father

Application:

1. Do you WANT to be prepared for today? Then do it. Prepare.

2. All of life is readjustment. We get unaligned with God in a natural rhythm of self-reliance, distraction, or humdrum living. But I promise you, if you stop and stop and stop...you will hear His voice.

3. Look for the moments today, and be Him to them.

Devo Plus:

• 2 Timothy 2:21

• In a well-furnished kitchen, there are not only crystal goblets and silver platters, but waste cans and compost buckets—some containers used to serve fine meals, others to take out the garbage. Become the kind of container God can use to present any and every kind of gift to His guests for their blessing.

Prayer:

Jesus, I love You.

I love Your mercy. I love Your tenderness.

I love Your gaze upon me. I love Your help. I love Your wisdom.

I love Your guidance. I love Your direction. I love Your redirection. I love Your hope.

Help me show the “One I love” to my world today.

In Jesus’s name, AMEN!

2 Timothy 2:20-21 (NLT)

In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.

Explanation:

In the time when this scripture was written, it was common for the wealthy to have what we would call fine china as well as normal, everyday objects. Whenever they would have important guests or a fancier dinner, they would pull out the best of the best. It was pure, it was expensive, and it was there for the purpose of “great” things. We realize that everyday household items play an important role as well, but each has a different purpose and greatness.

The same is true for us too. God can and will use each of us for His purpose and His glory, but how we prepare ourselves will make all the difference. God wants to utilize all of His children for a greater purpose: to lead others to Him. But do you know that we play a huge part in how much God can and will use us? As someone involved in ministry, I have often been told that you can only lead others as far as you have gone. So, if my relationship with God is solid, full of faith, and deep, I will be able to lead others to continue to go deeper and deeper in their walk with Him. But if my relationship with God is a checklist, or not a high priority, God will only use me to lead others as far as that. I want to do my part to be prepared for any good work God longs to use me for. The more I spend time studying His Word, talking to Him, listening to Him, and placing my relationship with Him as a higher priority, the more God can and will use me. The more in-tune I am with God, the more good works He can utilize me to do. I want to be ready to do His good work. I want to be ready for God to use me for great things.

What about you? Will you do your part to be prepared for God to do amazing work through you? We all can and will be used by God…the extent is up to us. Let’s be a people who are prepared for the good work God longs to do.

Application:

1. How do you want God to use you for His purpose and His Kingdom?

2. What are you doing to be prepared for every good work?

3. Which do you want to be more like? The finest china or the everyday household items?

4. What do you need to change in order to be more prepared for every good work that God longs to do in you and through you?

Devo Plus:

Read 2 Timothy 2:15-21 in a number of different translations to help you better understand this passage.

Prayer:

God, we long to be used by You. Will You help us to be ready and prepared for the work You long to do? We want to be like the fine gold and silver, people who are ready, who are prepared to do amazing things for Your Kingdom and Your glory. Show us today what we need to do to be ready for every good work You want to do in our lives. We submit our lives to You. Amen.

Ephesians 4:7, 11-16 (ESV)

But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and from by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Explanation:

The human body is a fascinating, mysterious, and intricate entity. The human brain alone is capable of incredible feats. It’s been discovered that your brain processes information at an impressive 268 miles per hour and produces 23 watts of power, enough to power a lightbulb. The more they study the human brain, the more they discover how amazing it truly is. Recently, researchers have started to uncover that your brain even creates its very own unique brain activity tailored just to you, to help you function in your specific environment day in and day out. It’s as unique to you as your fingerprints, and communicates in a way to express your specific personality. Wow, mind blown! And this is just the brain. Think about all the other parts that make up your body. Now you see why there is such a push to properly care for and equip the body.

Like the human body, God has created another body for us to function in. In today’s reading, the Apostle Paul helps us understand what it takes for this body to operate properly. Paul says that the church, the people who make a choice to follow Jesus, are like a body. It’s one unit functioning together, but made up of many different parts…like our bodies. Each part must operate as it was designed to operate, but in order for the body to operate effectively, it must be equipped to do so. Like our physical body needs proper nutrition, exercise, and rest, the body of Christ is designed to be equipped with what it needs to do the work of Christ. Therefore, God gives each of us what we need in order to contribute to making the church as healthy as it can be. The Apostle Paul vividly describes in these verses what a healthy church looks like. and even challenges all of us to pursue our unique part in helping the body “work properly” and grow as it should. These verses are a great reminder that God created us as we are with His purpose in mind. We are tailored to play an active part in allowing God to use us to keep the church a thriving, impactful force in our community.

Application:

1. Why is God’s church so important to Him?

2. Why do you think God wants the church to work properly for Him?

3. Why is it important for you to be a healthy and active part of God’s church?

4. What giftings in you do you see God using in your life and in the church?

5. How does the body at The Tree or in your community suffer when you don’t operate as God designed you?

Devo Plus:

Make a list of skills, talents, passions, nudgings, etc., that God has given you throughout your life. Write down one action step you can take today to help the church grow. Now go take that step.

Prayer:

God, Your church matters to You, and God, I want Your church to matter to me. Holy Spirit, would You show me what part I play in Your church, and where I need to grow in order to help the church grow as well? Above all God, You desire for us to love You and love others, and I know there are some things that need to change in my life to make that more of a priority. Thank You for Your Word, Your grace, and Your conviction to start today to be someone who helps build up the church.

Isaiah 6:1-8 (ESV)

In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said:

“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”

And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”

Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”

Explanation:

We enter this story as King Uzziah has recently died. He ruled the nation for 52 years, providing stability. When he died, Syria and Ephraim threaten to invade the country. You can imagine the fear and chaos happening to these people. In fact, after the year we’ve all had, it’s probably not hard to imagine at all. We become comfortable in our home, our job, and our health…and suddenly it’s all pulled away from us. Our nation becomes chaotic, and there’s no clear end in sight.

God wants us to focus on Him. When Isaiah looked to God during this time after Uzziah’s death, he had a vision of God. God wasn’t casually standing by and watching the chaos, He was on the throne. God was totally in charge, and everything was under control. It’s difficult for us to remember that we need to look past our circumstances. All of this “noise” and interference is buzzing in our faces, and we forget it’s all under control.

I love what Isaiah was able to see here; he saw a man who was not worthy of the glory that was before him, and called out his sin and uncleanliness. He saw himself in God’s eyes. Unworthy. Unclean. Full of shame and guilt. He could have let his pride get the best of him, as many of us do. He could have turned away, shut out by his guilt and shame. Instead, Isaiah saw the love and grace of the King of Heaven.

God has a purpose and a plan for each of us. We are called to remove the pride, sin, and shame that stands in the way of allowing us to be used by God. If I ask God to “send me” as Isaiah did, I have to remove the rock in my path. I must choose to be used. When we ask God to send us, we have to be willing to set aside things we may have held on to for a long time. We may not understand why God is working in this way or what the purpose is in the moment, but being a part of fulfilling the Master’s plan is where our sights must be set.

Application:

1. Isaiah went to God seeking clarity and received this vision. It was in that moment he found himself unworthy, asked for forgiveness, and boldly surrendered himself to be used by God. What is holding you back from saying “Here I am! Send me”?

2. How can you relate life in 2020 to the chaos that Uzziah’s nation was experiencing? How has God moved during this past year in your moments of chaos?

Devo Plus:

In the Hebrew language “Hineni” means “Here I am,” an offer of total readiness. In preparing for today’s devotion, I read this explanation of the word and how it was used in the Bible on different occasions. Follow the link below to learn more. Prepare yourself to be set in motion by God: https://www.oneforisrael.org/bible-based-teaching-from-israel/hineni-here-i-am-send-me/

Prayer:

Ask God to reveal to you the things that may be preventing you from being used by Him and for His plan. Ask Him for wisdom and strength to be able to set these things aside.

1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19-21 (ESV)

Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.

At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was.

Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So, he went and lay down.

And the Lord called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.

And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’” So, Samuel went and lay down in his place.

And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”

And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord. And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord.

Explanation:

God is starting to talk to a young man named Samuel. Samuel is learning from an older priest, Eli, who is struggling with his faith in these dark days. Samuel starts to hear from the Lord, but does not know what to listen for. While Samuel is sleeping, he thinks he hears Eli call for him three times. But it is not Eli; it is God starting to speak to Samuel.

Listening…How much of this do we really do on a daily basis? How much do we really listen? I don’t listen enough…to my God, my wife, my boss…I can honestly keep going. I love how Samuel says “Here I am” all three times. He gets out of bed with a heart that is ready to serve. Samuel’s response puts him in a perfect place for God to move in his life. God has big plans for him, and Samuel becomes a prophet.

We all have different situations, problems, and struggles that keep us from listening to and for God. We can probably come up with a new reason every day for why we are not even trying to listen for God. There are so many things that can hinder us from hearing from God, such as the busyness of life, walking in sin, laziness, children, hardness of heart, etc. By listening, we learn, we have time to think and not just react, we can get our emotions under control. But most importantly, we get GOD.

This is another way to get more God in our lives so He can teach us, fix us, mold us, and sometimes break us. This is what I personally struggle with, and I know a lot of people and close friends do as well. The Christian life is not easy. I challenge you to set a time every day to listen for God. I call it the Samuel challenge. Use the words, “Hear I am, speak, for your servant hears.”

Application:

Read Matthew 7:12-14. Challenge yourself to set a time every day to listen for God. Put on some worship music and just chill. Or get into the Word and quietly listen.

Devo Plus:

1 Samuel 3:19-21 tells us that Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him. God spoke to Samuel, why not you? Challenge yourself to listen, and God will speak.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for today. Thank You for giving us Your Word to live by. Thank You for not leaving us, even when we might think You have. God, change our hearts this week to say “Here I am,” instead of “Maybe later,” or “When I’m a better Christian.” God, help us to listen to You this week. Help us to listen to the people close to us and the people in charge around us. Change the way we listen for You. In Your holy and awesome name. Amen.

Nehemiah 1:3-6; 2:1-8 (ESV)

And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.”

As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father's house have sinned.”

In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. And the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart.” Then I was very much afraid. I said to the king, “Let the king live forever! Why should not my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' graves, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' graves, that I may rebuild it.” And the king said to me (the queen sitting beside him), “How long will you be gone, and when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me when I had given him a time. And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors of the province Beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah, and a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress of the temple, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall occupy.” And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me.

Explanation:

The book of Nehemiah begins with Nehemiah in service to King Artaxerxes. The Hebrews have been exiled from Judah (their homeland) for years, and a handful have returned to Jerusalem to begin to build the city. Amidst difficulty and struggle, the walls have begun to be rebuilt, and are attacked yet again by its neighbors. When Nehemiah hears the report of the state of Jerusalem and the people living there, it breaks his heart, drives him to prayer, and eventually God gives him opportunity to do something about it.

There are a lot of things we can pull from Nehemiah’s process. Nehemiah (1) cares about his fellow Hebrews, (2) lives faithfully in the place God has him, (3) seeks God with his concern, (4) is honest about where he is emotionally, (5) is provided an opportunity by God to do something about it, and (6) is obedient in that opportunity. But to summarize the process, each of these steps that Nehemiah takes demonstrates a priority in seeking God, and a willingness to give up something of his own for the good of others.

This is the recipe for the life Christ calls us to, seeking God in everything and seeking the good of others. It is both the responsibility and the joy of every believer. And through this process, God changes the lives of the people who live around us.

Application:

1. What is something that stood out to you in this passage?

2. Is there something God has burdened your heart with?

3. Have you sought God about it yet?

4. If you have been praying about it, has God given you a specific step to take?

5. What do you need to do to follow God into this burden?

Devo Plus:

Read 2 Peter 1:3-11 for more practical ways that God calls us to live our everyday lives in love for Him and love for others.

Prayer:

Father, You give each of us a calling to live dependently on You and for the good of others. That is not something that comes naturally to us, and we need Your help. We are dependent on You for our leading and the strength to live this way. Please remind us to seek You, and give us what we need to love others in our everyday lives. Amen.

On December 27th, Pastor Matthew delivered a message and spoke of a prayer that he has made a habit of praying every single day (if you have not watched it yet, you can here). We will continue in the mode of focusing on prayer this week for Devotions as well. This week will revolve around the prayer that Pastor Matthew taught in his message.

His prayer was to ask God to give us:

1. Purity of Heart

2. Clarity of Vision

3. Increased Faith

Find a quiet place and set aside 5-10 minutes to focus on engaging God through this process. If you find it takes longer, that’s ok. You may also want to use a journal so you can write down what God is speaking to you as you pray.

Philippians 4:19 (ESV)

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

1. Read the scripture out loud (if you are able) and keep it on your mind as you begin to talk to God.

2. Pray through the following prompts, expounding on them and making the prayer your own. Be sure to allow time for God to speak to you. You may want to have a Bible and a concordance with you today, so you can find some passages that speak to your fears and worries.

a. God, reveal to me the reasons I fear obeying You…

b. God, speak to me Your promises of Your presence with me…

c. God, speak to me Your promises of Your love for me…

d. God, remind of Your faithfulness in my own life and the lives of others…

e. God, give me the strength to take the steps of obedience You have led me to this week…