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TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

Then I said: “Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel.” Nehemiah 1:5-6a

Read: Nehemiah 1:5-6
Listen: Nehemiah 1

TODAY’S MESSAGE

Nehemiah takes his grief and pain to God in prayer. He begins by directly addressing who God is and God’s character. Nehemiah knows God sees and hears his people’s pain. Nehemiah proclaims God’s never-ending love for his people and remembers the promises God made long ago. He is confident God is capable AND connected. God is not a distant, far-off God who can’t handle pain or doesn’t care. Nehemiah’s beliefs about God draw him closer to God in his misery.

Our beliefs about God determine whether or not we turn to him in our pain. We do not try to handle pain alone when our image of God is big, and we believe he is capable and cares. Peter, one of Jesus’s closest friends, reminds us to “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). God sees, hears and cares about the things that concern us. We can talk to him about everything happening in our lives and world. Nothing is too small or too big for God to handle.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

Consider your view of God and what has shaped that image. Journal what comes to mind. Then read through Nehemiah 1 again, and write in your journal all the things you find are true about God. Ask God to help you remember to turn to him with every care and concern because he cares and is capable of helping.

2023 SPIRITUAL PRACTICES

Join us all of 2023 developing a different spiritual practice each month. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES are intentional regular activities to deepen our relationship with God and mold us to be more like Jesus.

October is SERVING. Keep track of our spiritual practices at beyondtheweekend.org/spiritualpractices.

Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.