Get Real November 23 Devotional
November 23, 2024
NEHAMIAH 1:1-4| 1The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. In the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in Susa the capital, 2 one of my brothers, Hanani, came with
certain men from Judah; and I asked them about the Jews that survived, those who had escaped the captivity, and about Jerusalem. 3 They replied, “The survivors there in the province who escaped captivity are in great trouble and shame; the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been destroyed by fire.” 4 When I heard these words I sat down and wept, and mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
What we weep over is a clue to our identity, for it reveals what we care deeply about. Nehemiah, living in exile, gets word that the Jewish community in Jerusalem is vulnerable, exposed, and dispirited. His response is to weep, fast, mourn, pray, and then to dedicate Himself to reliving their suffering.
Innocent suffering should move us to empathy, prayer, and action. Sometimes we can offer resources through active mission partnerships. Sometimes we can offer leadership, time, and labor. Sometimes we can be advocates who help others become aware of something.
In some ways the measure of a church community, or even a nation, can be what, if anything, moves them to weep and respond.
Have you been weeping over Ukraine?
Pray for all displaced by war in our world.
