I Must Remain Sensitive To The Heartbeat of God
(Chan Wai Lup, Chairperson, Precept@Wesley, Discipleship & Nurture)
READ:
Nehemiah 1 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
Although Nehemiah was doing well as a cupbearer to the king of Persia, he had the welfare of the Israelites far away in Jerusalem in his heart. When he heard about the condition of his people and the broken walls of Jerusalem, he wept, mourned, fasted and prayed to God for days. In his prayer, Nehemiah took personal responsibility for the desperate condition of his home city, which he acknowledged was a result of sin and disobedience of the nation of Israel towards God. He appealed to God’s love, His forgiveness and His promise to restore Israel. Nehemiah also asked God for favour and divine intervention in what he could do in his position before the king.
APPLY
As I read this passage, I am reminded how some years ago, I was burdened in my heart that the divorce rate amongst Christian couples was as high as the general population. My wife and I had a few church friends who experienced great challenges in their marriages, but by the time we knew about their situations, it was too late to help them avoid their divorce. I recognised that as a church, we had failed to proactively build strong marriages based on the Word of God. While I did not have similar challenges in my own marriage, I have failed to walk with my Christian friends in their marriage journey. In my helplessness, I sought the Lord what I could do. God subsequently gave me a vision and provided divine opportunities for me and my wife to start a marriage enrichment ministry in our church.
DO
Although I am no longer serving in the marriage enrichment ministry now, I must remain sensitive to the heartbeat of God. What burden is He currently placing in my heart for this season of my life? Do I see myself as having a responsibility for the wellbeing of the Body of Christ? Do I recognise the work that God is doing at Wesley Methodist Church? What am I prompted by the Holy Spirit to do? Will I step out in faith and dependence on God? Are there any sins I need to confess in order to have clean hands and pure heart before I can be of use to the Lord? I need to be intentional to grow in the various faith environments so that I can be a good disciple that loves Christ, grows in Him and serves Him.
PRAY
Dear Father, forgive me for the times I had been indifferent to the struggles and needs of my brothers and sisters-in-Christ. I pray that You will always keep me humble, sensitive and tender-hearted towards others, especially those You have led into my path. Enable me to serve You by serving others out of the same love and compassion You had shown me. I pray that in all that I do, I will always trust in You and lean not on my own understanding, to submit to You so that my paths may be made straight. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!
