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 – Nehemiah 1:3

He didn’t have to concern himself with Jerusalem and the condition of the returnees, but he did. Nehemiah was born in exile and did not personally know Jerusalem and the rich temple worship. His knowledge was through history and the religious practices of his people in exile. But I am sure that like Moses, he had godly parents who taught him about God. He had gained the trust of King Artaxerxes I and risen to become the king’s cupbearer. In modern terms, Nehemiah was the king’s safety assurance officer for food and drinks. That was his purview and responsibility in the courts of the Persian king. What else did he need and why should he concern himself with the affairs of Jerusalem?

Nehemiah may have enjoyed the delicacies of the Medo-Persian opportunity, but his heart was with his people and Jerusalem. King Cyrus had opened the door for the exiles to return and rebuild their nation. Two parties had left and the temple was rebuilt. Formal worship was re-established, but now, the report reaching him was depressing. “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” (Ne. 1:3). Here he was, living in luxury in a foreign land while Zion, the city of God, lay in ruins with no walls of protection. Something must be done; but how?

I don’t know what report you have received lately about your people and nation, but Nehemiah’s response to that heart-breaking report is a perfect model for any situation.

He responded immediately. Time is the most precious asset in times of adversity. The longer things linger, the worse they become. Available opportunities may not be there tomorrow. The solution demands a bold step of faith to seize the moment.  Nehemiah wept and grieved for days (4). No one can tackle a deplorable situation without caring enough to grieve over it. The fire for action is lighted in the depth of a broken heart. Though he was born in exile and was prospering in a secular environment, Nehemiah’s heart for God was firm and strong. He was a man of vision and faith. His faith was well placed in the Most High. The solution to Jerusalem’s problem was the sole prerogative of Israel’s God who holds the power over all things, including the King Artaxerxes.

So, Nehemiah rightly turned to God in fasting and prayer (5-11). I wonder how he did it when he had to taste the king’s food and drink before he ate and drank anything. But, nothing is impossible when a broken heart turns to God. Nehemiah identified with his people in their sins, as he confessed and asked God to make him part of the solution. He had a direct and trusted access to King Artaxerxes, but he knew where human authority comes from – Yahweh! What a guy!

Is that how you respond to the deplorable conditions of your people and the broken walls of morality in your country?