Daily Devotional – ‘In His Footstep’
By Kingdom Support Initiatives (KSi)
April 10th 2022

A Sorrowful Heart

In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before; so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart. Nehemiah. 2:1-2

Bible Reading: Nehemiah 2

Nehemiah’s grief was real that it became evident in his countenance. The king even observed this sporadic change. His outward countenance reflected his inward state; a genuine and truthful countenance I must say. Here’s his response: “why should my face not look sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”(Neh. 2:3b) Similarly, our outward appearance must resonate with our inner beliefs. You cannot confess to being a Christian and still embrace unrighteousness.

Nehemiah must be a man full of joy and happiness at every point in time to the extent that the king noticed his unhappiness because he had never had such countenance before. No wonder he told us his secret: “the joy of the Lord is my strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). There are many Christians that complain about life, rather than seeing from God’s word, prayerfully present their case unto God and patiently wait for Him until answers come while joyfully looking unto Jesus

Finally, Nehemiah’s sorrowful countenance as against his joyful countenance made the king noticed that something was wrong with him. Can people see you and know that you are in relationship with God? Is there any difference between when you were in the world and now that you have given your life to Christ? We should learn from Nehemiah the importance of being joyful, confessing and professing Christ and living right for Him.

Self-Reflection: Is there any difference between when you were in the world and now that you are in Christ?

Action Point: Be joyful in the Lord and let your countenance and appearance reflect that you belong to Christ.

Daily Confession: Lord help me to live rightly with You and for You.

Intercessory prayer: Pray for greater anointing upon your church leaders

Hymn: What a friend we have in Jesus

All our sins and friends to bear

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer