Trust in the Lᴏʀᴅ and do what is right. Settle in the land and maintain your integrity. Then you will take delight in the Lᴏʀᴅ, and he will answer your prayers. Commit your future to the Lᴏʀᴅ, trust in him and he will act on your behalf.
– Psalm 37:3–5

Have you ever sensed that God was about to do something big? Sometimes He gives us a glimpse into what He’s doing, but more often than not we can be left wondering if He’s at work. But in the times that we do see Him stirring, how should we respond? 

Nehemiah was a Jew living in Persia. The people of Judah were finally able to return to their homeland and rebuild the temple and city of Jerusalem after seventy years in exile. Nehemiah lived about a century after the Jews’ initial return to Jerusalem. He worked as a cupbearer to the king of Persia—a very important and respected position.

Nehemiah also knew God and what God had done for His people. He recognized that the people of God who returned to Jerusalem were without protection and needed the city walls rebuilt. Broken over the plight of God’s people—his people—Nehemiah cried out to God. He asked God to move the heart of the king of Persia so that he could go to Jerusalem and help his people rebuild the wall.

Nehemiah understood what God was calling Him to do because He knew the restorative character of God. He believed God was faithful and would act on behalf of His people. He knew God keeps His promises, and that He would keep His promise to restore the Jews. 

But Nehemiah didn’t sit and wait for God to move. Nehemiah fasted. He prayed. He made plans and did research. And then he went before the king. When Nehemiah sensed God was moving, He moved, too. 

There are circumstances and seasons when God asks us to wait on Him. And there are times God asks us to step forward in faith as He moves in and through and around us. Nehemiah could have waited on God to restore Jerusalem, but he understood that God was asking him to step out in faith even though he didn’t know the outcome. When he sensed God moving and prompting him to act, he responded. 

Maybe you’ve seen God move in ways you never thought possible, and you are expectant for Him to reveal Himself to you in new ways. Perhaps you’ve seen Him begin to answer a prayer that you’ve prayed for years. Or maybe, like Nehemiah, you sense Him stirring something in your heart, preparing you for a specific calling.

We serve a God who will always act on behalf of His own. And sometimes, in His grace, He may let us know when He is about to do something big in our lives. As we study the Book of Nehemiah, let’s remain alert to what God is stirring in and around us. For He is a God who is always working, who will always work for good in the lives of His children. May we trust Him and expect Him to act as we also step out in faith and boldness, believing His promises.

Week 1 Challenge:
Nehemiah faced many challenges as he prepared for the work God called him to do. What has God called you to do in this season? How are you being faithful to the work He has given you? How can you remain faithful and work for Him, even when things are difficult?

Week 1 Reading Plan:

Week 1 Memory Verse:

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Melissa Fuller

Melissa loves God’s Word and is committed to helping women fall in love with Scripture (and its author!). She has a ThM from Dallas Theological Seminary and served as the general editor of the NET Love God Greatly Bible and the managing editor of the CSB She Reads Truth Bible and the CSB (in)courage Devotional Bible. She currently resides in Atlanta, GA, loves running and hiking and is currently pursuing her goal of visiting all the National Parks in the US!