Let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it. (Neh. 2:5)

 

THE HOMELESS LINED the downtown street on the way to the law firm where Rebekah worked as a junior associate. Each morning she drove by rows of makeshift tents and cardboard beds. Her heart broke for the men and women and children who had to live this way, especially on cold nights. One day she asked her boss whether she could set up a legal clinic for the homeless to help them with any legal troubles that might be keeping them on the streets. The request took courage for a young junior associate. Her boss granted her request and even funded most of the initial costs. Through her courage, this legal clinic has served the homeless of her city for the past twenty-five years.

In a similar manner, Nehemiah approached King Artaxerxes of the Persian Empire, the largest empire in the ancient Near East and the West, with courage and conviction. The king could have easily laughed at the request or, worse, had Nehemiah killed for making such a request. Instead, Nehemiah found favor in the eyes of the king, and the king even returned the stolen treasures of the temple.

Is there a need in your community or church family that needs an advocate? Is there a need that has been burning in your heart recently? Have the courage to step out and meet this need.

 

Be a courageous advocate of those in need.

 

Mark Moore is the spiritual formation pastor at Faith Legacy Church in Sacramento, California, and an auxiliary professor at William Jessup University.

 

© 2019 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.