The walls of Jerusalem were in ruins for over 140 years. Nehemiah fasted, prayed, and obeyed, and the Lord used him to accomplish the monumental task of rebuilding the walls despite constant opposition and harassment. This was all done to make it possible for the Jewish people to engage in the Temple worship and live the holy Law. Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Chronicler knew that the chosen people would be restored in power if only they worshipped the Lord in Spirit and truth (Jn 4:23). Only in Jesus was this finally accomplished.

Key word    WALLS
 
Key verse    " 'The wall of Jerusalem lies breached, and its gates have been gutted with fire.' When I heard this report, I began to weep and continued mourning for several days; I fasted and prayed before the God of heaven." —1:3-4
 
Command verse    "I myself, my kinsmen, and my attendants have lent the people money and grain without charge. Let us put an end to this usury!" —5:10
 
Promise verse    "But should you return to Me and carefully keep My commandments, even though your outcasts have been driven to the farthest corner of the world, I will gather them from there, and bring them back to the place which I have chosen as the dwelling place for My name." —1:9
 
Difficult verse    "The load carriers, too, were armed; each did his work with one hand and held a weapon with the other." —4:11
 
Surprise verse    "And though these are our own kinsmen and our children are as good as theirs, we have had to reduce our sons and daughters to slavery, and violence has been done to some of our daughters!" —5:5
 
Prayer: Father, may I restore the Christian community by strengthening Christian families.