Nehemiah 1-3

"The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah:

In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.

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."

It really touched me that Nehemiah had such compassion for the Israelites. When he heard the news of the condition of Jerusalem, the bible says he mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.

Having the heart of compassion for others is something that does not come naturally to me. I guess I grew up pretty spoiled and I often find myself thinking of others only when there's some time left over after dealing with my own issues.

In the third chapter of Nehemiah, when the Israelites are starting their work in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, the word "next to" is used so many times. Someone would be working on this section of the wall, and next to him, this other person would do their share of the work. It reminded me that God never intended for us to live this Christian life alone. We are to seek God in all things and to have love and compassion for others.

The condition of the Israelites that broke Nehemiah's heart was something that broke God's heart also. I pray this day that the things that break the heart of God would also break mine. That I will seek after what is pleasing to God.