Today's Scripture reading is Nehemiah 2:1-3.
Verse 1, "Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence."
Nehemiah is standing before the king and his countenance is not what it normally looks like. Why the change? Nehemiah has been given very discouraging news about Jerusalem. The walls of Jerusalem have been broken down and the gates have been burned. In addition, the people were being burdened and reproached. This news was too much even for Nehemiah. He was deeply concerned for his people and the city of Jerusalem.
How much more news do we need to hear before we are as concerned as Nehemiah was? Our nation is becoming a spiritual wasteland. Our nation is moving away from God and His Word every day. It is time for the people of God to follow the example of men like Nehemiah. We read his example in chapter 1:4, "And it came to pass when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,"