Nehemiah was burdened because the walls of Jerusalem were broken. This is what he said - 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.”
When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Nehemiah 1:3-4.
Nehemiah was not only burdened. He took steps to rebuild the broken walls. He mourned, fasted and prayed. Then he approached the King and asked for permission and assistance to rebuild the walls. He surveyed the extent of damage. He acted with wisdom, and knew when to talk and when to be quiet. He rallied other men to support him to rebuild the walls. They encouraged and supported each other when they faced great opposition.
Nehemiah persisted until he rebuilt the walls with the help of God - Nehemiah 6:15. Nehemiah was devoted to this cause because he loved God. He never accumulated material gains by taking advantage of the people.
Nehemiah 5 :15-16 But the earlier governors—those preceding me—placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that. Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we did not acquire any land.
God is looking for men with the kind of heart Nehemiah had - full of love for God. Willing to stand in the gap through prayer, fasting, evangelism and hardwork to rebuild broken lives and communities.
God seeks honest men who will be good stewards and who will not Lord it over others nor take advantage of them. Are you one of such? God is calling you to whole heartedly devote to His cause and purpose. Is your heart ready?
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