The Words of Nehemiah: "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." (Nehemiah 1:1-4, ESV)
One of the most incredible leaders in the Bible, and one of the greatest lessons in leadership, is found in the story of Nehemiah.
It’s a story that begins not with a king, a prophet, or a warrior, but with an ordinary man—a slave of sorts—whose heart is broken. Nehemiah served as the cupbearer to the king of Persia, a trusted role that gave him access to power and privilege yet kept him confined to the walls of the palace, far removed from the struggles of his people. Despite his position of comfort, Nehemiah's heart was deeply connected to God and to the plight of his fellow Israelites.
When Nehemiah heard the devastating news about Jerusalem, he didn’t shrug it off or think someone else would handle it. He allowed himself to feel the weight of the tragedy. His grief wasn’t about personal loss but about the condition of God’s people and the glory of God’s name. This kind of sorrow is what we might call "righteous brokenness"—a selfless grief that aligns with the heart of God. It didn’t leave Nehemiah in despair; it propelled him to action.
Brokenness is an inevitable part of life. Whether through personal failure, unforeseen tragedy, or the painful consequences of sin, we all encounter moments that shake us to our core. Yet, what distinguishes Nehemiah is how he responded to his brokenness. Rather than becoming paralyzed by self-pity or overwhelmed by the enormity of the problem, Nehemiah let his grief drive him to intercede, sacrifice, and take bold action.
God does not create brokenness; it is the byproduct of living in a fallen world. However, He can use it as a powerful tool for transformation. The key lies in how we respond. Will we allow our pain to drive us away from God, or will we let it align us with His purposes?
When Nehemiah hears about Jerusalem’s broken walls, he is devastated. But this devastation isn’t self-focused. It is deeply tied to God’s glory, the needs of God’s people, and the hope of restoration. Nehemiah’s grief leads him to take three crucial steps:
He Interceded: Nehemiah’s first response was prayer. He fasted, mourned, and cried out to God, acknowledging both the sins of Israel and the greatness of God’s mercy. His brokenness drove him to seek divine intervention.
He Sacrificed: As the king’s cupbearer, Nehemiah had access to a life of relative comfort. Yet he was willing to risk everything to approach the king and advocate for the restoration of Jerusalem.
He Acted: Nehemiah didn’t stop with prayer and grief. He made a plan, gathered resources, and personally led the effort to rebuild the walls.
Contrasting Responses to Brokenness
There’s a stark difference between selfish and righteous brokenness. Selfish brokenness focuses inward: How will this affect me? It often leads to bitterness, isolation, and a sense of victimhood. In contrast, righteous brokenness shifts the focus outward, aligning our grief with God’s heart. It compels us to ask: What does this mean for God’s glory? How can I respond in a way that honors Him?
For Nehemiah, his heartbreak wasn’t about how the ruins of Jerusalem inconvenienced him personally. He was broken for God’s people, God’s glory, and God’s plan.
Why This Matters Today
Nehemiah’s story reminds us that brokenness doesn’t have to destroy us. In fact, it can be the very catalyst for profound transformation and restoration. When we encounter brokenness—whether in our lives, our communities, or the world around us—we have a choice: to wallow in self-pity or to align our hearts with God’s and take action.
Ask yourself: What breaks your heart today? Is it something that aligns with God’s heart, or is it rooted in selfishness? When we allow God to shape our brokenness, He can use it to rebuild what has been lost and to demonstrate His faithfulness.
Let righteous brokenness move you to:
Intercede for others in prayer.
Sacrifice your comfort for the sake of God’s glory.
Take bold action, trusting that God is with you every step of the way.
WHAT BREAKS YOUR HEART?
What breaks your heart today? Is it something that aligns with God’s heart, or is it rooted in selfishness? Ask God to show you what breaks His heart and how He wants you to respond. Let righteous brokenness propel you toward intercession, sacrifice, and action.
Just as Nehemiah’s brokenness led to the restoration of Jerusalem, your brokenness—aligned with God’s heart—can lead to restoration, healing, and transformation for you and those around you.