I am currently researching and writing sermons on Nehemiah but there is so much challenging and inspiring material I am having to leave out a great deal of what I am learning and thinking about, so I thought over a couple of weeks I would offer some additional reflections on Nehemiah here.

Let’s start with this verse

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

What a powerful response to hearing about the suffering of his fellow Israelites! Nehemiah was moved to tears. He had a sensitive heart. He wept over the state of Jerusalem and its people because he loved God and had compassion for God’s people. I had to ask myself when was the last time I wept over the state of God’s work and what was happening to someone else. What about you? When was the last time you wept over Westlake? When was the last time you were moved to tears over what someone was going through?

But he didn’t just sit there and cry, his grieving didn’t lead to him to despairing that there was nothing he could do or nothing could change. He knew with the Lord no situation is hopeless.

 Nehemiah turned his tears into prayers, so should we.

He fasted and started seeking the Lord’s guidance and help. What an example Nehemiah shows us of how we should respond when we hear of others in need.

What’s important to notice is that Nehemiah’s response goes even deeper than just feeling sorry for his fellow Israelites. He also takes action.

There is a time for tears but He does not just sit and weep. Nehemiah takes steps to help and to bring about change. If you read on in chapter one, you will see Nehemiah praying and making a plan to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, a task that would take great effort, determination and sacrifice on his part.

One of the things that Nehemiah’s example teaches us is that when we hear of others in need, we should certainly feel sorry for them. Let’s never be indifferent to the suffering of others but we should not just feel sorrow or empathy. Our tears should motivate us to take action.

It’s not either or when it comes to prayer and action. We should pray for those in need, and we should also do whatever we can to help them.

I want us as a church to be inspired by Nehemiah’s example and not just sit idly by when we hear of others in need. Yes, let us pray, and fast, but also let’s take action to help bring about change and bring hope to those who are suffering.

 If you are heartbroken over what is happening in someone’s life, follow Nehemiah’s example take time to weep and grieve over what is happening to them, but then ask the Lord to show you if there is anything you can do to help, and get up and do it !