Carrying burdens.

 "When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven." (Nehemiah 1:4)

I have been reminded recently that this world is not my home. God never intended for us to live forever in this mess.... that is why He promised to make all things new... and for all sad things to come untrue. Until we get there we will be longing for Eden... for the perfection and harmony found there. Especially when it comes to relationships with other people.

I was inspired to write this blog about Nehemiah when God was personally speaking to me through it, and then it became the lesson we were studying in House. I wanted to share that lesson...

Last week at the leader training we were given about 40 minutes to be with Jesus. I sat and wept the whole time. When we came back together I shared with everyone my burdens for the lost people in my life that needed to be saved. I admitted to everyone that I couldn't save them. I realized my powerlessness. But I knew what I could do... pray... and believe God to do the impossible. I begged God to save them, because He is the only one who can.

Every day we come into contact with people who are hurting, struggling, searching for hope, and in need of rescue.

Nehemiah had compassion on the people who were in exile. He wept. Mourned, fasted, and prayed. He confessed and repented. And he asked God to help, because he wasn't able to save them in his own strenght. So that's what I am doing.

As Christ followers, we have the opportunity to compassionately minister to the needs of the people around us. The Bible says to carry each other's burdens. If we follow the example of Nehemiah, it starts with our repentance.

One thing Nehemiah saw was the effects of disobedience in the Jewish peoples' lives. They were scattered because they walked away from God. Their problems, and in fact, all of our problems, are rooted in disobedience. Our consequences are a direct result of our sin.

I can definitely see the effects of disobedience in my life. The consequences of sin is death. I've experienced that with my father passing away from lung cancer two months ago. I encountered it during my parents' divorce and everyday after. Like Eve in the garden, satan came to steal and kill and destroy their marriage relationship-- like a virus, generational sin has continued to infect... and steal and kill and destroy.

Nehemiah repented on behalf of himself, his family, and others. What impact does repentance have?

Nehemiah recognized and confessed the problems were caused by disobedience. God's way is the best way! The Bible shows us how life works best! Repentance is turning from your way back to God's way. Repentance opens the door for God to do a new, fresh work in people's situation and lives. And what satan meant to harm... God uses for good! For the saving of many lives!

The second thing we see from Nehemiah is a reminder of God's promises. Nehemiah remembers the promise God made to Moses about restoring God's chosen people if they turned back to the Lord. God didn't forget his promise. Repentance was the first step. God's promise was rooted in a relationship with him. Remembering God's faithfulness in the past helps us to trust him in future.

Lastly, Nehemiah recognized his powerlessness. His need for rescue. He sought God's help in receiving the king's favor. He recognized his need for divine assistance. We all face tough times in life, and while we might be tempted to rely on our own strength, we will experience greater blessing, protection, and safety when we turn to God for help. I know I'm unable to save myself, let alone other people. I'm so thankful for the ways God has pursued and rescued me in the past, and the way he is currently rescuing me today. 

Who are people in your life that "things are not going well" for them? What news have you gotten lately that has caused an emotional response? Made you weep? At your school? Workplace? In your family?

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said, to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few." (Matthew 9:35-37)

Jesus had compassion because he encountered people who were confused and helpless, like sheep wihtout a shepherd.

Jesus is our Good Shepherd. He is the only one who can save them. But we are his workers. So what is my role? To pray. And rest in Jesus and lean on His everlasting arms. His yoke is easy and burden is light. So I cast all my burdens onto him.

Hope is believing something good will come out of something bad. So I hold onto my hope, which is only in Jesus.