Tuesday, September 27, 2022

REBUILDING THE LIVES OF OTHERS

And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, that I took the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had never been sad in his presence before. Therefore the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing but sorrow of heart.” So, I became dreadfully afraid, and said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs, lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire?”

Nehemiah 2:1-3

Nehemiah maintained this burden on his heart. Commentators say 3 months had gone by since he found out about the devastating state of his hometown, Jerusalem. Despite the length of time that had passed, he was still impacted by their state. The Word of the Lord says he was so bothered that the king had to ask him why he was sorrowful.

Is there someone’s situation that you cannot shake? Is there a friend or neighbor whose life lies in waste that needs your time and attention? Is there a need you can fill or assistance you can give?

PRAYER: Lord, open my eyes to see the status of those around me. Let me not become so burdened by my life that I overlook the needs of others. Pierce my heart with what breaks your heart and give me the grace to help. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.