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Read: Nehemiah 1:4
Listen: Nehemiah 1

When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Nehemiah 1:4

Nehemiah serves the king of Persia but longs for his homeland, Israel, to be restored. But after years of warnings, Israel’s stubborn disobedience led to war, defeat and exile in a foreign nation 140 years prior. Years later, a new ruling kingdom decrees that scattered Israelites may return home. Yet, ninety years after the decree, few have returned to Jerusalem. Nehemiah hears that the city’s wall lies in shambles, with burned gates and people living in fear. His beloved people and city suffer trouble and disgrace. The news breaks him. Nehemiah knows this isn’t the way it’s supposed to be. God intends his people to reflect his glory and hope to the world. Nehemiah spends extended days mourning, fasting and praying. Something must change.

Eventually, we all face situations that aren’t the way they should be. It may be a marriage teetering on the edge, financial troubles, a child’s destructive choices or a devastating diagnosis. We know things need to change, but it seems impossible. We can turn to God in our grief and devastation, just as Nehemiah did. We can cry out that this isn’t how it should be and grieve with God. We will see in Nehemiah’s story how rebuilding isn’t simple. But in considering Nehemiah’s story, we discover that God is present and cares about our pain. He provides courage, strength and perseverance so we can endure.

TODAY: Evaluate what situation in your life, or someone you care about, isn’t how it should be. Pray and grieve, acknowledging the pain. As you do, remember that God is near the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18).