Living in our Next Season: A Nehemiah Anointing

Sermon Quick Summary
This sermon challenges us to embrace a “Nehemiah Anointing,” characterized by tears that lead to action, rooted in the story of Nehemiah’s lament for Jerusalem’s broken walls. Nehemiah, a cupbearer to King Artaxerxes in Persia, receives devastating news about the broken state of Jerusalem and the disgrace of his people. Though far from Jerusalem and personally secure in his position, Nehemiah is deeply moved. This heartache becomes a sacred pathway to his calling from God. Nehemiah’s tears propel him to confess not only his own sins but also the sins of his ancestors, modeling the power of collective confession (See Nehemiah 1:1-10). Nehemiah’s intimacy with God through prayer equips him with the courage to act. Despite his fear, Nehemiah approaches the king and gains miraculous favor, receiving resources and authority to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. This act of obedience begins a journey of restoration, where Nehemiah and the people unite, rebuilding the walls while facing opposition with steadfast faith and reliance on God by all of God’s people with a shared burden for the restoration of Jerusalem.

This sermon draws a parallel between Nehemiah’s story and the foster care crisis today, calling us to respond to injustices with similar courage and conviction. Just as Nehemiah was uniquely positioned in his time, we are placed in this moment to act. The broken walls of Jerusalem reflect the broken lives of children in foster care, who are often left vulnerable and without a stable family. The message emphasizes that God uses our tears as seeds for transformation, calling us to prayer, fasting, and actionable love. Similarly, addressing the foster care crisis requires collective action. Just as Nehemiah’s story demonstrates, the ripple effects of obedience can lead to repentance, restoration, and renewed commitment to God.

Through Nehemiah’s example, we are invited to move beyond lament, take ownership of the burdens God places on our hearts, and trust that God will equip us for the task. As Nehemiah rebuilt the walls with God’s people, we are called to rebuild what is broken in our world, ensuring that justice, mercy, and love flow freely. This is the heart of the “Nehemiah Anointing” – tears that lead to prayer, prayer that leads to action, and action that transforms generations.