Crossroads Church

SOAP = Scripture Observation Application Prayer
 

S: Nehemiah1:3-4

O: I am struck with how devastating the bad news about the returned exiles is to Nehemiah. He is immediately crushed. He calls in sick for work. He spends four days in prayer and fasting. Essentially he is grieving here the news that the exiles are struggling and that Jerusalem is not being restored. His heart is utterly broken.

What is amazing about this is that he decided that he was not going to return to Jerusalem with the exiles. Apparently, he felt his place was there in Babylon in the courts of power near to the King. He must not have felt called to do what many Jews had done.

But this decision had not left hi in any doubt about what God's will was for those exiles. He sees himself united with them. When they are doing badly, he grieves so deeply that he cannot eat and can't stop crying and pleads with God to help him, help them. Out of this grief comes the courage to show the king how sad he is, which in this time could mean a death sentence. Even bolder, he asks the king to help him in this venture. Because of God's favor he is granted everything he needs.

I am struck that Nehemiah's amazing leadership stemmed from this deep connection to Israel, and this potent longing for God's will to be done in the promised land. Clearly his position in the King's court allows him the chance to be able to ask the King for help for his people. His grief allows him to have the authentic witness of the people's suffering. The King is moved and Nehemiah is empowered to change the situation. 

A: I want to be able to know God's will so clearly like Nehemiah. He knew what God was doing in Jerusalem and he knew what God was doing in his life. He stays connected to the people who have returned and lets himself be wrecked by their plight. His is powerfully in tune with what God is doing and his grief, his position, and his prayer all come together to bring amazing change and transformation for the returned exiles.

P: Dear God, Please allow me to be that connected to your will. Please touch my heart, use my position in the world, and meet me in my prayers to be able to do the amazing good that you want to do in this world. Make me a Nehemiah who moves with agility to bring about your salvation. In Jesus Name, AMEN

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