One of my favorite people in history is Nehemiah, the rebuilder of Jerusalem's walls after the return from captivity in Babylon and Persia. Today we face challenges, ironically from situations in Iraq and Iran, and Nehemiah is relevant as we face the challenge of the modern Middle-East.
May First is the National Day of Prayer and if you find the news and challenges of the day overwhelming you will find comfort in the life of Nehemiah. The task he faced was too big for him. The Jerusalem he loved was in dissaray and discouraged. The city was defensless from attack and had limited resources. How did Nehemiah begin to deal with the insurmountable obstacles he faced? He prayed first, then set to work, bringing order and security to a troubled people. He faced many difficulties and was viciously opposed, but he prevailed. In his story we may see a model for how to approach problems that is timeless.
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