MARCHING ON: Nehemiah - The Nehemiah Call (pt 1)

What do you do when faced with problems, challenges or trials?  Are you tempted to quit?  God may be asking you to persevere.  He tells us in James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  Nehemiah was in such a position.  The remnant of Jews in Jerusalem were broken and hurting.  Nehemiah had a righteous dissatisfaction of their plight.  This was not the fault of Nehemiah, but as a leader, he was prepared to take ownership of it and do something about it.  By following Nehemiah's response we learn 7 Biblical ways to respond like God's leader: We need to arrive at a point of mourning, realizing the things need to change, then worship, putting our focus in the right place, then intercede, asking for God's help, then confess our shortcomings or failures, appeal to God's Word, the scriptures, then ask for His Divine assistance, and finally take responsibility or ownership of the problem and (whether or not it's your fault!). Remember, Persevere! Don't give up.  you'll come out much better for it.  Scripture reading: Nehemiah 1