Today I was reading the book of Nehemiah and wanted to share an encouraging word with you.
The book starts with two individuals coming to Nehemiah and sharing the conditions of his hometown after the exile, and the conditions of the people who were back in the area. Nehemiah 1:3 says “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”
These broken walls were a symbol of defeat, it was a symbol of weakness, and an open invitation for those roaming and looking to steal and destroy. My favorite part comes after Nehemiah heard that the walls were broken down. The Bible tells us that he sat down, wept, mourned, fasted and prayed. He prayed boldly for God to answer, he said:
“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. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you.”Nehemiah 1:6
When was the last time you prayed a prayer like this? When was the last time you sat down, wept, mourned, fasted and prayed for either a situation you were going through, or a situation someone you knew was going through? If we fast forward, we learn that God gave Nehemiah favor, and the walls were rebuilt, and the steps he took to get there in the Spirit were integral.
Perhaps the wall that has guarded your heart for a long time has been crumbling down, leaving you in shame, defeated and vulnerable to the enemy’s attack. I encourage you to sit down, to weep if you have to, to mourn because things are not the way they were or you thought they’d be, but then you fast and pray boldly, allowing God to strengthen and fortify you as only He can. God will make a way when there seems to be no way. With His help, you’ll be restored and rebuilt. May the Lord bless you and keep you.
