Nehemiah 2: 1-20.

Nehemiah didn’t go into this major task lightly and neither should we when God calls us to undertake a particular task. (Cf. Jesus’ challenge to would-be disciples.) What are the risks involved in saying that we’ll serve God? Are we prepared to put ourselves out for a greater purpose? Are we prepared to do the necessary ‘homework’ involved, so that our service has a clear purpose and we’ve ‘counted the cost’? Seeking God in prayer runs through this whole section. We need to be prepared for challenge and change if we pray!