Heart for Our Nation

Daily Scripture Threshing for Today, Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Today's Text: Nehemiah 1:1-11

Key Verse: Nehemiah 1:4 (NIV): "When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven."

All across the world, there's been an ongoing situation in which concerned citizens of different nations grieve over the struggles of their homeland. Something seems not be alright across board. During Nehemiah's time, he, too, was deeply distressed by the brokenness of his homeland, Jerusalem. The experience is similar; but it is our attitude that is different. For whereas, Nehemiah ran and cried to the merciful God for help; we, in our generation, cry to unmerciful men.

Therefore, God sets Nehemiah's example before us to show us how we must acknowledge and lament the troubles facing our nation, and how to seek God’s intervention with humility and earnest prayer. Through this narrative, God is speaking to the challenges, divisions, reproach, and moral decay that are afflicting our society. We must recognize the spiritual and societal brokenness and respond with a heart of intercession and action. We must demonstrate understanding of the deep-seated issues and needs, and act accordingly.

Nehemiah, despite being far from his homeland, Jerusalem, felt the pain of his people and the desolation of his city. He didn't turn a blind eye to their suffering or dismiss the reports of their distress. All of us who genuinely follow the Lord must acknowledge the brokenness around us and intercede for our nation. It is by so doing that we demonstrate God's heart for our communities. Whether we are home or abroad, the pain of our nation must touch us so genuinely. Just as Nehemiah's prayer led to a profound rebuilding effort, our intercession can pave the way for national healing and transformation.

Unfortunately, apathy, self-interest, and cynicism are robbing our generation of this blessing. Caring for our troubled nation requires humility and a willingness to stand in the gap. It requires striving to seek God's face and actively participating in spiritual efforts for national restoration, just as Nehemiah did. The promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14 isn't if my people takes to the street and cause chaos, but "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." For a certainty, if and when more Christians genuinely care and show compassion for our nation's plight, we shall begin to have more profound impact on its trajectory.

Action Steps: Take time to reflect on the current challenges facing your nation. This could involve reading news with a discerning eye or engaging in thoughtful conversations. When considering national issues, strive to see them through God's eyes and understand the spiritual roots of the problems. Put yourself in the shoes of those most affected by national struggles and try to understand their perspective. Pray fervently for your nation, asking God to bring healing, righteousness, and revival.

Quote for the Day: "God's is looking for His spiritual Nehemiah who will weep over their Jerusalem's brokenness, whose tears and prayers can be the catalyst for their nation's restoration." (Simon Olatunji #quotablequote)

Let Us Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for placing us in this nation. Help me to see its troubles through Your eyes and feel Your heart for its healing. Give me the humility and willingness to intercede for my nation, and to be an instrument of positive change — in Jesus's most glorious name. Amen.

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Thank you for being part of this daily journey of faith. For additional reading on today's meditation, read: Psalm 33:12, Proverbs 14:34, and 2 Chronicles 7:14.

With all my love and prayers,

Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.

Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)

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