Selfless Saints
Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 1
Nehemiah had a comfortable life. He was the king’s cupbearer, which sounds like a menial job, but it was in reality a position of great trust and responsibility. He was relied upon to protect the king against potential assassination attempts. He had the king’s full confidence and was rewarded well for his loyalty.
I mention that because it would be easy for someone in that position to be unconcerned about the situation of his kinsman in Jerusalem. Yet, when men came to Babylon from Jerusalem, Nehemiah was quick to inquire about the situation there. Then, when he heard things weren’t going well, he didn’t give a perfunctory, “that’s a shame,” response and return to life as normal. Nehemiah was genuinely broken-hearted over what he heard.
His first response was prayer and fasting before God. He pled with God for his people, confessing their sins and seeking the merciful hand of God.
Nehemiah was selfless in this matter. It grieved him and his grief showed (see chapter 2). He was concerned about more than his comfort and maintenance of a privileged life. He cared about God’s people. He cared about the kingdom of God more than the kingdom of Babylon.
May our comforts not dull our senses toward the suffering of saints in other lands.
