A Heart That Breaks
Published by Olwin Gosal in 2026 · 12 April 2026
A Heart That Breaks
My brothers and sisters, how do we view the lives of those around us? How does our heart perceive the condition of this city? How does our heart perceive the state of our nation? Is there much spiritual decline surrounding us? How do you and I view all of this? Before God uses someone as His instrument to rebuild that which has been broken, He first wounds that person's heart—causing them to take ownership of the brokenness or problem—and calls them to action.
Let us open our Bibles to Nehemiah 1:1–11.
1. Seeking the Ruins (v.1-2)
Verse 3, “They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”
Israel is God's chosen nation. Jerusalem is the land God promised. However, due to their sinfulness, God employed people who were not His chosen ones to punish them. They were carried off into exile, while Jerusalem was dismantled and set ablaze. For decades, Jerusalem lay in ruins, and those who remained there endured great hardship; indeed, they were even scorned by the nations surrounding them. It appeared that God's chosen nation possessed not even the slightest strength to stand against the nations that worshipped idols. In such circumstances—where not only was their city destroyed and their people in distress—God's name was also blasphemed by the other nations. It was as if God were incapable of helping, delivering, or restoring His chosen nation. This state of affairs persisted for decades, yet no one felt moved to rebuild; everyone remained paralyzed by despair, fear, and the trauma of past defeat.
But God never remains silent, He is a God who never forgets and never breaks His promises. God used one person with a burdened heart to initiate a change. It says in verse 2, "I asked them about the Jews who had escaped, who had escaped captivity and about Jerusalem." Often the act of asking indicates that someone cares about someone or something. Most people know that a problem exists; but few ask serious questions about it.
My brothers and sisters, do we truly set our hearts and minds upon all that is unfolding around us? In which areas have you ceased asking earnest questions regarding the fellowship within our church, in this city, in your own neighborhood, or within your family? There is much "ruin" and "damage" occurring all around us; does this command our serious attention, or do we simply regard it all as business as usual?
2. A Broken-Hearted Prayer (v.4-7)
Verse 4, “When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.”
This passage reveals Nehemiah’s response: he was heartbroken and overcome with deep grief. Yet, it is recorded that he fasted and prayed to the God of heaven. Before God rebuilds walls, He first “crushes” a person’s heart. Nehemiah did not blame anyone; he did not complain before men, nor did he blame God. He did not immediately devise a strategy of what to do, nor did he immediately seek support from those in power; instead, the Bible states that Nehemiah prayed and fasted. Let's see what Nehemiah prayed before God:
Prayer of exaltation to God (4-5)
Nehemiah began his prayer by glorifying God, that He is the God who is great, awesome and the God who keeps promises and the God who is full of steadfast love.
Confession prayer (6-7)
“We have acted very wickedly toward you”, a confession that he is sinful, his family is sinful, his nation is sinful and he is doing everything that is against God. Nehemiah did not blame anyone, not even the other nations who had destroyed Jerusalem, but he focused on confessing his sins. Nehemiah took the great responsibility of appearing before God to confess the sins of all the people of Israel. My brothers, where do we need to stop saying “they” and start saying “we”? Our actions, our shared mistakes, or our shared responsibility!
Calling - Praying to be used by God (vv. 8–11)
Remembering (vv. 5, 8–9):
Nehemiah reflected again on who God was and what He had promised Moses. He knew the story; God's Word lives within him, even though Jerusalem is now “far from sight, far from memory.”
Repent (v. 9):
“If you will turn to Me and faithfully keep My commandments…” He stood as intercessor for the people. When the Israelites repent, God will gather and restore their situation.
Redemption (vv. 10–11):
“They are Your servants… whom You have redeemed with Your great power…” “Grant success to Your servant this day and grant him mercy before this person.” He didn't just pray, "God, solve this problem" but he also prayed, "Lord, use me." Many of us pray, "Make everything better," without ever praying, "Make me Your instrument, let me be the bearer of change in this dark and broken world, O Lord.
How impoverished the Church is today—it suffers most acutely precisely in the very place of prayer. We have many organizers, yet few who wrestle in prayer; many doers and contributors, yet few intercessors; many singers and pastors, yet few who truly grapple in prayer; much fear, yet few tears; much style, yet little passion; many who meddle, yet few who intercede. If the Church fails in prayer, it fails in every other sphere. It is as if spiritual activity has been reduced to mere routine—devoid of any passion or longing to truly worship God, to follow Him, or to know Him more deeply. This marks the beginning of a collapse—one that is, in fact, already unfolding within the life of the contemporary Church.
3. Leaving Comfort for Calling (v.11b)
“I was cupbearer to the king.” A job that demands a lot of confidence, is very comfortable, and has high status in the capital. Nehemiah could have stayed and enjoyed all the comforts. However, the burden of his heart pushed him to pray to Allah, and encouraged him to step up to take on a big responsibility. Many people know about the condition of Jerusalem but not many people care, are burdened, pray and take action for recovery.
Comfort is easily found; a calling demands sacrifice. Yet, God moves through those who refuse to remain in Susa while Jerusalem lies in ruins.
Conclusion:
1. Pray—now, not later.
- Pray for this city, for this nation, for Riverside, and for a single neighbor or coworker of yours.
2. Take responsibility for one specific part of the brokenness.
- “You cannot fix everything, but you can change someone’s world.” Reflect: Who is the one person in whom I will invest my time and attention this week? Who is the “one person” for whom I will pray to come to Jesus?
3. Step out of your comfort zone and into your calling.
- Join—or start—a group that lives out a vision and mission aligned with God’s purposes.
Before God rebuilds walls, He “breaks” hearts. Let's ask: Dear God, for what purpose do you want to "break" my heart? How will you use me?