Day 22 — Let’s Build

“I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me, and what the king had said to me. ‘Let us start rebuilding,’ they replied, and they set their hands to this good work.”

— Nehemiah 2:18 (BSB)

Nehemiah worked for a king, far away from his home city of Jerusalem. One day, he heard some terrible news: Jerusalem’s walls had been broken down, its gates had been burned, and God’s people were in trouble and disgrace.

Nehemiah didn’t just shrug and say, “That’s too bad.” He sat down and wept. He prayed. He asked the king for permission to go and help. And then he went.

When Nehemiah got to Jerusalem, he went out at night to look over the damage. Then he gathered the people and said, “Come, let us rebuild the wall.” He told them how God had been helping him. And the people answered: “Let us start rebuilding.” And “they set their hands to this good work.”

Nehemiah saw a problem, and instead of just complaining about it, he did something. He cared enough to act. And he got others to join in.

God often calls people this way. He lets them see something that’s broken, and it bothers them. It makes them sad or even angry. And then He puts it in their hearts to help fix it.

What bothers you? What do you see that’s broken?

• A kid at school who’s always alone?
• A neighbor who can’t keep up with yard work?
• A messy park or creek?
• Kids in other countries without clean water, food or Bibles?
• Friends who don’t know Jesus?

Maybe that’s where God is calling you to build.

You don’t have to fix the whole world. Nehemiah fixed one wall, and everyone worked on their own section. Start with the piece in front of you. And invite others to join you. Great things often start with one guy who says, “Let’s build.”

Think about it: What’s something broken in your world that bothers you? What’s one small thing you could do about it?

Try this: Choose one small “rebuilding” project: help a neighbor, clean up a spot, include a lonely kid or raise money for a need. Invite a friend to do it with you.

Dear God, like Nehemiah, help me see what’s broken around me, and care about it. Show me what You want me to do, and give me courage to say, “Let’s build.” Help me invite others to join in Your good work. In Jesus’ name, Amen.