Nehemiah 1:1-2
The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel, that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem.
Nehemiah was in a very safe place. He was in Susa, the winter capital of Persia, in the Citadel, a fortified palace on a high ground above the city. He was in a high ranked position, close to the King, being the cup bearer. Being in such a safe, luxurious, comfort zone, he had no reason to have thoughts of his home country. But we find that Nehemiah was concerned enough to find out the state of the exiles who had returned and of Jerusalem.
This is the primary characteristic of any man whom God uses - he has a concern for people and then God gives him a burden. If you want to serve the Lord, begin with a concern for others. God never uses a man who has no concern for others.
- Do we have concern for the Neighbour living next door?
- For the unbelieving friends whom we meet everyday?
- For the people who suffer before our eyes?
May not the comfort zone that we live in, make us insensible to the cries of the needy.
May we not fool ourselves like the priest and Levite, thinking we are spiritual, while leaving the dying man on the road! May we be like the Good Samaritan who had pity and concern on the dying man!
Romans 9:2-3I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race
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