Don Fredenburg
Jim Tucker
H.E. 'Hub' Bowen
Mike Coble
Ron Bowen5/5/2019
The King will say, "I tell you the truth, when you did it to
one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!"
—Matthew 25:40
The room was splashed with an assortment of enchanting colors
as women in beautiful saris scurried around, completing the final touches for a
fundraising event. Upon hearing about the financial situation of a Christian
school for autistic children, these women from India not only heard the need,
but they also took it to heart and responded.
Nehemiah did not allow his comfortable position in life as
cupbearer and confidant to the most powerful man at that time to nullify his
concerns for his countrymen. He talked to people who had just come from
Jerusalem to find out the condition of the city and its citizens (Nehemiah
1:2). He learned that "those who returned to the province of Judah . . . are in
great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the
gates have been destroyed by fire" (v. 3).
Nehemiah's heart broke. He mourned, fasted, and prayed,
asking God to do something about the terrible conditions (v. 4). God enabled
Nehemiah to return to Jerusalem to lead the rebuilding effort (2:1--8).
Nehemiah accomplished great things for his people because he
asked great things of a great God and relied on Him. May God open our eyes to
the needs of those around us, and may He help us to become passionate and
creative problem solvers who bless .
—Poh Fang Chia
Those who walk with
God run to help with the needs of others.
Nehemiah's Prayer
1 The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah: In the month of
Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, 2 Hanani, one
of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them
about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.
3 They said to me, "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." 4 When I heard these things, I sat down
and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of
heaven. 5 Then I said: "Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who
keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6
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. 7 We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the
commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses. 8 "Remember the
instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will
scatter you among the nations, 9 but if you return to me and obey my commands,
then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them
from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my
Name.' 10 "They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your
great strength and your mighty hand.
