Do You Care?

Scripture: Neh 1:1-4 (NIV) 1 The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. 3 They said to me, "Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire." 4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.

Background: The kingdom of Israel divided into two separate nations shortly after Solomon's death. This made both nations (Israel and Judah) vulnerable to their enemies, which were numerous. Eventually both Israel and Judah were conquered. The Babylonians completed the destruction of Jerusalem and the best of Israel's young generation were taken from their homeland to serve in the Babylonian Kingdom. Babylon was eventually swallowed up by the Persian Empire and the exiles of Israel served in that Kingdom. Under the direction of Ezra and Nehemiah, the exiles began to return home. They returned as a remnant of broken people--returning to a broken homeland.

Observations: When Nehemiah heard of the condition of Jerusalem--that the walls and gates were broken and burned, he felt something emotionally. Scripture states that he wept, and for several days he mourned and fasted.

In our time, the church (at least the church of America) has been called apathetic. Is it true? Why is it true? I think that perhaps we are too comfortable. When we hear of people living in the streets--when we hear of children starving on the other side of the world--when we hear of Christians facing persecution or that they are being martyred for their faith--or the thought that we live next to people that are without Christ--DO WE CARE? Do these things break our hearts? Do they cause us to mourn--to fast--to take action? In Nehemiah's case, he took action.

Prayer: "Dear Father, do what you must do to change my heart. I don't want my heart to be heartless when it comes to the things in life that are really important. I don't want to be apathetic, indifferent or inactive. I pray that Your cause will become my cause. Awaken Your church, and start with me this day. May my life be lived in such a way as to bring You glory."