A Really Bad Day

Author, Judith Viorst, wrote numerous books for children and collections of poetry aimed at adults. One of her most popular books is entitled, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day which highlights a young boy’s struggles through everyday events that seemed to pile up on one fateful day. His troubles included going to bed with gum in his mouth and waking up with the gum in his hair, to his mom serving lima beans for dinner. What could be worse to a child?

When I read the book of Nehemiah I get the same feeling from the Old Testament author. He describes a time when the Jewish exiles are beginning to return from Babylon only to find their city, Jerusalem, in shambles, including their beloved temple. In chapter 1 we read of a report that Nehemiah received while still in Babylon which contained information about the conditions for those who remain in Judah. Nehemiah 1:3 reads, “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.”

In the rest of Nehemiah we read of how God’s servant was tasked with leading the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple as well as restoring worship as the people were instructed many hundreds of years earlier. However, it is the man’s response to the calamity in chapter 1 that demonstrates his faith in God despite the horrific conditions. His prayer contains numerous references to the hope that arises when we rely on God to fulfill his promises. God is always faithful!

When you encounter difficulties in your life do you respond with prayers like Nehemiah? Do you cry out to God, acknowledge your role in the situation you find yourself in, and then call on your Heavenly Father to rescue you? Nehemiah models an approach to difficulties that all believers can follow. God doesn’t change and he longs to minister to us in our pain.

God, when I doubt you, remind me of your faithfulness. Your eternal character is completely trustworthy even when I struggle, or even more so when I struggle. Thank you for your love and care for me.

Throughout this day: Meditate on Old Testament prayers such as this one found in Nehemiah or read the Psalms and see how people in that time period expressed their deepest feelings to the Lord.