DURING TRIP
DEVOTIONAL DAY 2
Journal Your Response Below:
I WANT TO GO
As chapter two opens, four months have passed. What had started as a deep
concern in the heart of Nehemiah had worked its way into his mind as a plan,
and was about to burst forth into action. He had determined it was not enough
to just weep for the need, or even just pray about the need. He had decided that
someone must go and do something about the need, and he had come to believe
that someone was him.
The concern that Nehemiah had exhibited in chapter one worked its way out of
his heart and onto his face. It showed and he couldn’t hide it. If we really care
about the things of God, that care we have will show up somewhere. Nehemiah
was busted. The king saw the emotion on Nehemiah’s face and called him on it.
Regardless of how he had planned this encounter, it was upon him now and he
was going to face the consequences of his heart. He was going to have to face the
consequences of showing his true emotions. Nehemiah shared his heart with the
king, and his desire for the king to send him to Jerusalem.
God had answered Nehemiah’s prayer. The king sent him to go assess the
situation rst-hand with resources and support. He met with people, cast his
vision, and encouraged them with the Lord’s promise to be present. God had
clearly gone before him in preparing the heart of the king and the people of God
to see the need, and to respond to the need around them.
Here’s the key to today’s devotional: nothing would have happened if the
story had ended in Nehemiah 1:4 and never made it to Nehemiah 2:5! Caring is
wonderful, but it accomplishes nothing without doing. It accomplishes nothing
without going! Here you stand; caring, doing, and now going where you see the
need this week.
Now that you have seen some of the needs around you, they calls for a response.
We are hoping that your ability to see needs will bring a call for compassion
within your heart this week. Caring alone is not enough. We must care enough to
do something about it!
SCRIPTURE READING
Nehemiah 2:1-20
QUESTIONS
used by God to care for others this
week?
Is there someone you have met this
week that you feel you HAD to meet?
What new thing have you experienced
so far that is different for you so far?
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