Embracing God's Call: Grieve, Pray, Act
Summary
God has placed a unique calling and purpose on every life, something far greater than just our daily routines or careers. Each of us is invited into a “good work”—a work that may not be easy, but is eternally significant. This is the heart of Nehemiah’s story. Nehemiah was not a prophet, priest, or king; he was an ordinary man with an ordinary job, serving as a cupbearer to the king. Yet, when he heard about the suffering and vulnerability of his people in Jerusalem, his heart was moved. He could have ignored the news, but instead, he allowed himself to be deeply affected, to grieve, and to seek God’s direction.
The journey of stepping into God’s calling often begins with a burden—a holy discontent that stirs us to action. But before acting, Nehemiah models two crucial steps: he sits to grieve and he kneels to pray. Our culture is quick to move past pain and injustice, but God invites us to sit in the discomfort, to let our hearts break for what breaks His. This grief is not wasted; it becomes the soil where prayer takes root. Nehemiah’s prayer is marked by humility, confession, and a bold reminder of God’s promises. He doesn’t rush to fix things in his own strength, but seeks God’s wisdom and favor first.
Only after grieving and praying does Nehemiah stand to act. This order is vital. Too often, we want to jump straight into action, but without the foundation of lament and prayer, our efforts can be shallow or misdirected. Nehemiah’s story reminds us that God delights in using ordinary people who are willing to be faithful, even when the work is hard, lonely, or costly. The impact of one person’s obedience can ripple out in ways we could never imagine—whether it’s rebuilding a city wall, starting a ministry, or simply showing up for someone in need.
Throughout history and even in our own community, God has done remarkable things through people who responded to His call. The “good work” is not about grand achievements, but about faithfulness in the small and the significant, trusting that God can do the impossible through surrendered lives.
Key Takeaways
- God’s Calling Is Personal and Costly
Every person is given a unique calling by God, one that goes beyond the ordinary rhythms of life. Responding to this call often comes with challenges—loneliness, discouragement, and even opposition. Yet, the eternal impact of saying “yes” to God far outweighs the temporary cost, as His work in and through us transforms both our lives and the lives of others. [02:08]
- God Specializes in Using the Ordinary
Nehemiah was not a spiritual superstar; he was an ordinary man with a risky but unremarkable job. God delights in using those who may feel insignificant or unqualified, reminding us that it’s not about our credentials but our willingness to be available. The absence of miracles in Nehemiah’s story highlights that God’s greatest works often come through everyday faithfulness. [06:07]
- Grieving Is a Spiritual Discipline
Before Nehemiah acted, he allowed himself to sit and weep over the brokenness he saw. In a world that rushes past pain, God calls us to pause, lament, and let our hearts be moved. This kind of grief is not weakness; it is the birthplace of compassion and the beginning of meaningful action. [12:17]
- Prayer Precedes Action and Reveals Our View of God
Nehemiah’s response to grief was to kneel in prayer, confessing sin and recalling God’s promises. What we pray for reveals what we believe about God—His power, His faithfulness, and His willingness to act. Impossible prayers honor God, and seeking Him first ensures that our actions are rooted in His wisdom, not just our own ideas. [17:17]
- Faithfulness in Small Things Leads to Greater Impact
The stories of Nehemiah, Sarah, and others show that significant change often begins with a small step of obedience. Whether it’s starting a ministry, moving to serve a new community, or simply showing kindness, God multiplies our faithfulness. The “good work” is not about the size of the task, but about responding to what God has placed on our hearts, trusting Him with the results. [25:34]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:08] - God’s Calling and the Cost
[05:14] - Nehemiah: An Ordinary Man
[06:07] - The Role of the Cupbearer
[07:50] - News from Jerusalem
[09:35] - Responding to Injustice
[12:17] - The Discipline of Grieving
[12:58] - What Moves Your Heart?
[17:17] - Nehemiah’s Prayer and God’s Promises
[18:09] - The Need for Grit and Vision
[19:35] - A Modern Example: Hope Rising Ranch
[24:00] - The Importance of Order: Grieve, Pray, Act
[25:34] - Faithfulness in Action
[26:14] - Stories of Ordinary Faithfulness
[26:59] - Closing Prayer and Next Steps
[29:42] - Final Encouragement and Farewell
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Good Work (Nehemiah 1:1–11; 2:18)
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### Bible Reading
- Nehemiah 1:1–11
(Nehemiah hears about Jerusalem’s trouble, grieves, and prays)
- Nehemiah 2:18
(“And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, ‘Let us rise up and build.’ So they strengthened their hands for the good work.”)
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### Observation Questions
1. What was Nehemiah’s job, and how did he first respond when he heard about the trouble in Jerusalem?
[[07:50]]
2. According to Nehemiah 1:4, what did Nehemiah do before taking any action?
3. What are some of the emotions and actions Nehemiah showed in his prayer in Nehemiah 1:5–11?
4. In Nehemiah 2:18, what did the people say after Nehemiah shared what God had done?
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Nehemiah chose to grieve and pray before doing anything else? What does this show about his relationship with God?
[[12:17]]
2. The sermon says Nehemiah was an “ordinary man” with an ordinary job. Why is it important that God used someone like him for such a big task?
[[06:07]]
3. What does Nehemiah’s prayer (Nehemiah 1:5–11) reveal about what he believes about God’s character and promises?
[[17:17]]
4. The sermon mentions that “faithfulness in small things leads to greater impact.” How do you see this principle in Nehemiah’s story?
[[25:34]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon talked about a “holy discontent”—something that breaks your heart and stirs you to action. Is there a need or injustice in your world that moves you deeply? What is it, and how have you responded so far?
[[12:58]]
2. Nehemiah sat down to grieve before he did anything else. Are there areas of brokenness or pain in your life or community that you tend to rush past? What would it look like for you to “sit and weep” as Nehemiah did?
[[12:17]]
3. Before acting, Nehemiah prayed with humility and confessed sin. When you face a burden or challenge, do you usually pray first, or do you jump into action? How could you make prayer a bigger part of your response?
[[17:17]]
4. The sermon said, “God specializes in using the ordinary.” Do you ever feel unqualified or too ordinary for God to use you? How might God want to use your everyday life for His purposes?
[[06:07]]
5. The story of Sarah and the Hope Rising Ranch showed how one person’s obedience can ripple out and change lives. Is there a “small step” of faithfulness you sense God is asking you to take right now? What’s holding you back?
[[20:47]]
6. Nehemiah faced loneliness, discouragement, and even opposition when he followed God’s call. What are some challenges you might face if you say “yes” to God’s calling? How can this group support you?
[[02:08]]
7. The sermon said, “The good work is not about grand achievements, but about faithfulness in the small and the significant.” What is one small, faithful thing you can do this week to serve someone or respond to a need God has put on your heart?
[[25:34]]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to give each person in the group a heart that is willing to grieve, pray, and act as He leads. Pray for courage to say “yes” to the good work He is calling each one to do, no matter how big or small.
Devotional
Day 1: God Calls Ordinary People to a Good Work
God has given every person a unique purpose and calling that goes beyond daily routines or job titles; He delights in using ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things for His kingdom. Nehemiah was not a prophet, priest, or king—he was an ordinary man with a risky but unremarkable job as a cupbearer, yet God chose him to lead a significant work. This reminds us that our qualifications or status do not limit God’s ability to use us. Instead, He looks for willing hearts ready to respond to His call, no matter how ordinary we may feel. [05:14]
Nehemiah 1:1-4 (ESV)
The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel, that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.” As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel “ordinary” or unqualified—how might God be inviting you to trust Him and step into a good work despite your doubts?
Day 2: Grieve Over What Breaks God’s Heart
When Nehemiah heard about the suffering and shame of his people, he didn’t ignore it or move on quickly; instead, he allowed himself to sit, weep, and mourn for days. In a world where we are constantly bombarded with news and tragedies, it is easy to become numb or detached. Yet, God invites us to let our hearts be moved by the pain and injustice we see, to grieve deeply, and to allow that grief to stir us toward compassion and action. [12:17]
Lamentations 3:22-24 (ESV)
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
Reflection: When was the last time you allowed yourself to truly grieve over an injustice or need in the world—what specific situation is God inviting you to sit with and lament today?
Day 3: Begin with Prayer and Fasting
Before Nehemiah took any action, he turned to God in prayer and fasting, confessing sin, remembering God’s promises, and seeking His guidance. This posture of humility and dependence is essential before stepping into any good work. Our prayers reveal what we believe about God—are we asking Him for things only He can do, or are our prayers limited to what feels safe and manageable? God invites us to bring impossible requests to Him, trusting in His power and faithfulness. [17:17]
Nehemiah 1:5-11 (ESV)
And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’ They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Now I was cupbearer to the king.
Reflection: What is one “impossible” prayer you can begin bringing to God today—something that is beyond your own ability but not beyond His?
Day 4: Stand Up and Act in Faith
After grieving and praying, Nehemiah stood up and took action, courageously sharing his burden with the king and stepping into the work God had placed before him. Faithful action often requires risk, perseverance, and grit, especially when facing opposition or discouragement. God calls us not just to feel or pray, but to move forward in obedience, trusting Him with the results even when the path is difficult or uncertain. [24:00]
James 2:17 (ESV)
So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Reflection: What is one concrete step you can take this week to move from prayer to action in response to what God has placed on your heart?
Day 5: Faithfulness in the Face of Difficulty
Doing the good work God calls us to will not always be easy; there may be loneliness, discouragement, or even opposition. Yet, as we remain faithful, God uses our obedience—no matter how small or ordinary it seems—to bring hope, healing, and transformation to others. The impact of a single faithful life can ripple out in ways we may never fully see, as God multiplies our efforts for His glory. [26:14]
Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Reflection: Where are you feeling weary or discouraged in your calling—how can you ask God for renewed courage and perseverance to remain faithful today?
Quotes
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