Nehemiah Intro

The new seven-week series, Building What Lasts, begins with a study of the book of Nehemiah and explores how God works through people and circumstances to rebuild what has been broken. Nehemiah’s story takes place after Israel’s exile, when a remnant has returned to Jerusalem, but the city’s walls and gates remain in ruins and the people are vulnerable and discouraged. As a cupbearer to the Persian king, Nehemiah had been positioned by God to play a role in restoring Jerusalem, demonstrating that God can use anyone and can place people in specific circumstances for His purposes.

When Nehemiah hears about Jerusalem’s condition, he does not immediately try to fix the problem; instead, he allows the brokenness to become a burden, weeps, mourns, fasts, and prays. His response challenges us to recognize areas of brokenness in our own lives that we may have become accustomed to and to allow God to stir compassion and a desire for restoration. Nehemiah’s prayer begins with praise, moves to petition, and includes repentance as he takes ownership rather than pointing fingers at others.

The message emphasizes that prayer prepares us for faithful action, and before asking God to change circumstances around us, we should invite Him to change what is within us. We are encouraged to pay attention to the burdens God places on our hearts, bring those burdens to Him before rushing to solve them ourselves, and ask what part He wants us to play. Nehemiah shows that God had already positioned him to become part of the answer, reminding us that our burdens may be invitations to join God in rebuilding—not according to our plans, but according to His.

Ultimately, Building What Lasts invites us to develop lasting habits and disciplines of prayer, faith, obedience, and dependence on God as we consider what He wants to rebuild in our lives.