Good News Bad News
Bible Readings
Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.
1 I am Nehemiah son of Hacaliah, and in this book I tell what I have done. During the month of Chislev in the twentieth year that Artaxerxes ruled Persia, I was in his fortress city of Susa, 2 when my brother Hanani came with some men from Judah. So I asked them about the Jews who had escaped from being captives in Babylonia. I also asked them about the city of Jerusalem. 3 They told me, “Those captives who have come back are having all kinds of troubles. They are terribly disgraced, Jerusalem's walls are broken down, and its gates have been burned.” 4 When I heard this, I sat down on the ground and cried. Then for several days, I mourned; I went without eating to show my sorrow, and I prayed: 5 God of heaven, you are great and fearsome. And you faithfully keep your promises to everyone who loves you and obeys your commands. 6 I am your servant, so please have mercy on me and answer the prayer that I make day and night for these people of Israel who serve you. I, my family, and the rest of your people have sinned 7 by choosing to disobey you and the laws and teachings you gave to your servant Moses. 8 Please remember the promise you made to Moses. You told him that if we were unfaithful, you would scatter us among foreign nations. 9 But you also said that no matter how far away we were, we could turn to you and start obeying your laws. Then you would bring us back to the place where you have chosen to be worshiped. 10 Our , I am praying for your servants—those you rescued by your great strength and mighty power. 11 Please answer my prayer and the prayer of your other servants who gladly honor your name. When I serve the king his wine today, make him pleased with me and let him do what I ask.
Nehemiah 1
Memory Verse
John 16:33b
33 I have told you this, so that you might have peace in your hearts because of me. While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world.
Have you ever been upset by something in the news? Maybe you heard about a terrible crime, or saw a picture of war, or watched a video about people who don’t have clean water. Perhaps you heard about people who are being persecuted, punished, or put in prison for their faith. You may feel like there’s no way you can help, but there is: you can pray for God’s justice in the world.
There was a man in the Bible named Nehemiah who was upset by some news. When he heard that his people were in trouble, he got on his knees and prayed. He knew his people were not perfect and asked for God’s mercy. He prayed for them to come back home to worship God.
Then, after he prayed, he went into action. He asked God to give him wisdom as a leader, and God had mercy on his people and helped them. Nehemiah relied on God to bring justice in his way, in his timing.
Jesus assures us, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b). He understood that it’s natural to feel discouraged when you hear bad news. But, he promised us that we can take courage, because God’s good news still overcomes all the bad news. God wants us to come to him like Nehemiah did, humbly asking for his mercy; praying for justice in a world that needs Jesus.
Prayer
Dear God, please have mercy on your people. The world is a sinful place, but thank you that Jesus paid the price for our sins once and for all. Please help me to follow you and show your love through my actions, by seeking justice and showing mercy like Jesus. Amen.Related Resources
Areo Keller-Donahue
As soon as Areo could pick up a popsicle stick, she was making puppets and putting on plays that shared her faith with her neighbors. Areo grew up with a strong interest in musical theatre and earned her BFA at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Areo was led to use artistic gifts to share the gospel with young ones, and she became involved in ministry. She has worked in children's ministry at Redeemer Upper West Side and North Way Christian Community and is currently developing a musical live-action series that celebrates faith and fun. Areo and her husband live in Pittsburgh, where they enjoy spending time with their families and adorable cat, Daisy.