March 1, 2026
Dreaming of Restoration

Nehemiah 2:1-5 (NIV)

1In 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, 2so 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 2:1-5 (NIV)

I was very much afraid, 3but I said to the king, "May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?"
4The king said to me, "What is it you want?"
Then I prayed to the God of heaven, 5and I answered the

Nehemiah 2:1-5 (NIV)

king, "If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it."

1. You will never move until your heart is moved.

Nehemiah 1:1-6 (NIV)

1The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah:

In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, 2Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I

Nehemiah 1:1-6 (NIV)

questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.
3They said to me, "Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire."

Nehemiah 1:1-6 (NIV)

4When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. 5Then I said:
"Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6let your ear be attentive

Nehemiah 1:1-6 (NIV)

and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's family, have committed against you.

Psalms 119:112 (KJV)

112I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.

Nehemiah 2:2a (NIV)

2so the king asked me, "Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart."

2. Movements start with movement.

Nehemiah 2:12-13 (NIV)

12I set out during the night with a few others. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on.
13By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of

Nehemiah 2:12-13 (NIV)

Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire.

3. Others move when I obediently move with God.

Nehemiah 2:17-18 (NIV)

17Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace." 18I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me.

Nehemiah 2:17-18 (NIV)

They replied, "Let us start rebuilding." So they began this good work.