When Nehemiah heard about the destruction in Jerusalem and the tearing down of the wall, he was crushed. However, as soon as he heard the report he wept, mourned, fasted, and prayed. Nehemiah had a very appropriate response to such news. His heart was broken and he went to God.
It’s easy to make comparisons to the state of our own country. The bad news continues to come. Destruction, devastation, and hate are prevalent. So, what has been your response?
I would suggest that the evidence shows very little have wept, mourned, fasted, and prayed. When I look around I see anger, shouting, finger-pointing, blaming, fear, and most of all, pride.
Pride cannot be the response. Pride in our country, pride in a political party or candidate, pride in our opinions cannot set the course for our actions.
Nehemiah recognized that the most important thing he could do following the moments in which he heard about Jerusalem’s calamity is get more connected with God. If we truly believe in God, that He is sovereign and in control, our response is going to look similar to Nehemiah’s. Naturally, if we believe God reigns supreme, we go to God for the answers and next steps.
Answering the woes of the nation with fear and pride speak to the fact that you do not truly believe God is who He says He is. How is that any different than what an atheist believes?
I encourage you to put down the phone. Step away from the keyboard. Turn off the news. Disconnect from social media. Spend time in prayer. Weep and mourn, bear your heart to the Lord. He will bring comfort, peace, clarity, wisdom, and direction. He will show you the appropriate next steps in traversing the road in this time and place.
“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.”
Nehemiah 1:4
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