Sunday, January 12, 2020
Topic: Outreach
Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-10 (Pew Bible page 388)
Direction:
Almost everyone thinks about or makes a New Year’s resolution. Many of them relate to something that we want to do differently, more of, or better. Losing weight tops the list but other popular goals often include resolving to quit smoking, spend more time with family, getting out of debt or learning something new. Our reading today takes us back to the time of Nehemiah, a prominent Jew who lived during the time of the Jewish exile to Babylon. Nehemiah achieved a position of unreserved confidence in the court of King Artaxerxes who defeated the Babylonians and led Persia (modern day Iran) to become the dominant world power of the time. In 539 King Cyrus issued a decree permitting Jews who wished to return to their broken-down homeland. Many did but their situation remained dire. Join with me today as we learn about the resolution Nehemiah made when he heard about the plight of his people.