Nehemiah himself had never seen Jerusalem. He was born in exile, far from the land his ancestors once called home. The Babylonian Empire had conquered Judah, destroyed the temple, and scattered its people. Later, the Persian Empire took control and allowed some exiles to return, led first by Ezra and then by Nehemiah. Despite moments of revival, the people had drifted from God again. When Nehemiah heard that Jerusalem was still in ruins and her people “in great trouble and disgrace,” his heart broke.

What stands out in this passage is that Nehemiah didn’t rush to fix things. His first response wasn’t strategy, it was stillness. Verse 4 tells us he “sat down and wept.” Sometimes the most faithful thing we can do is simply stop, feel the weight of what’s broken, and bring it before the Lord. Psalm 46:10 reminds us, “Be still and know that I am God.” In that stillness, Nehemiah experienced the heart of God and began to discern what obedience looked like.

From that place of grief and dependence, Nehemiah turned to prayer. His prayer in verses 5–11 mirrors the pattern of the Lord’s Prayer that Jesus would later teach His disciples. He begins by acknowledging who God is, “the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps His covenant of love.” He then brings his petition, asking God to hear him. He confesses both his own sin and the sins of his people, recalling God’s promises in Scripture. Finally, he surrenders himself completely to God’s will: “Give your servant success today.”

Nehemiah’s response teaches us that prayer is not passive; it is the foundation of faithful action. Before rebuilding walls of stone, he rebuilt the spiritual wall of dependence on God. Out of prayer flowed courage, wisdom, and resolve.

That same pattern applies to us today. When we face loss, uncertainty, or change, our first instinct might be to fix or control. But God invites us to pause, pray, and trust Him first. It’s in that sacred pause that our hearts realign with His.

This passage also reminds us that true surrender leads to obedience. We cannot say we trust God yet refuse to follow His leading. One way we cultivate a heart of obedience is through spiritual disciplines, the practices found in Scripture that draw us closer to Christ. These include inward disciplines like sabbath, prayer, fasting, and scripture; outward disciplines such as solitude, community, generosity, witness, and service.

Each of these practices helps us learn to listen and respond to God’s voice. They shape us into people who, like Nehemiah, act not out of impulse but out of prayerful conviction. The goal isn’t to check another item off a list but to become more aware of God’s presence in our everyday lives.

Maybe for you, that begins with setting aside a few quiet minutes each morning to read Scripture and pray through what you’ve read. Or perhaps it’s making space to sit with God in silence, reflecting on what He’s rebuilding in your life. Whatever it looks like, the invitation is the same: come before Him honestly, listen deeply, and respond faithfully.

Nehemiah’s story reminds us that God is always at work restoring what’s been broken. Even in seasons of struggle or uncertainty, He remains approachable and faithful. When the walls of life seem to crumble, we can run to Him, trust His promises, and allow Him to rebuild our hearts from the inside out.

Grace and peace,
Pastor Josh