Chapter of the Day: Nehemiah 1 | Verse of the Day: Nehemiah 1:4
“Now it happened that when I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.”
— Nehemiah 1:4 LSB
Have you ever seen something so broken it made your stomach turn? Not just a problem to fix—but a burden that grabbed your soul and wouldn’t let go? That’s holy discontent—and it’s where every real move of God begins.
Nehemiah lived in luxury. As cupbearer to the king, he had access, comfort, and security. But when word came that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down and the people were in distress, something deeper stirred.
He didn’t organize a task force. He didn’t write a grant proposal. He wept. For days, he fasted and prayed. Why? Because the burden wasn’t just emotional—it was sacred. The ruins in Jerusalem reflected a deeper ruin among God’s people.
God was planting a vision in the soil of sorrow.
Nehemiah’s story is the story of Shoe Leather Gospel. A burden for a church without clarity. For believers who’ve forgotten how to walk in truth. For walls of biblical conviction that lie in ruins. Like Nehemiah, we’re not chasing platforms—we’re answering a call. Step by step. Brick by brick. With prayer-worn sandals and tear-streaked cheeks.
And we’re inviting you to walk with us.
What brokenness around you feels too big to ignore? Don’t look away. Let God wreck you for a reason. Fast. Pray. Ask the God of heaven to take your sorrow and shape it into a call. Every rebuilding begins with burden.
This devotional marks the beginning of a journey. All month long, we’re laying the foundation for Walking with God—a new podcast from Shoe Leather Gospel built for everyday discipleship. It’s raw, real, and rooted in Scripture. If you’ve ever felt the ache for something deeper, you’re not alone. You’re being called to rebuild.
Closing Prayer
God of heaven, break my heart for what breaks Yours—and prepare my hands for the work You’re calling me to.
