New Life Pastor Steve Abraham: “When you can’t take it anymore”

By Michael Hernandez

OXNARD—Some 2,500 years ago, Nehemiah the cupbearer of the king, heard the report that “the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates are burned with fire,” said New Life Pastor Steve  Abraham at Sunday’s church service while saying he was beginning a series from the Book of Nehemiah on “The God Who Builds.” 

Nehemiah’s response: “I’m done. I can’t take it anymore,” said Pastor Abraham. “This is what we as a culture are experiencing now. This is the fourth month of not being able to meet as a congregation. How much longer is this going to last?”

Pastor Abraham said congregants could learn from how Nehemiah reacted to the news:

1. Sit down to cry.  “We are never good at rebuilding until we have empathy.”
2. Kneel down to pray.  “Nehemiah began by fasting and praying before the God of heaven. What you pray about is what you believe about God. We need to pray: ‘Lord, break my heart with the things that break your heart.’”
3. Stand up and act.  “What bothers you? The temple had been destroyed and he wanted to do something about it. We can do things. Don’t justify. Don’t make excuses. Let’s not wait until the virus is over. God can use anyone at any time.”   

Michael Hernandez, Co-Founder of the Citizens Journal—Ventura County’s online news service; editor of the History Makers Report and founder of History Makers International—a community nonprofit serving youth and families in Ventura County, is a former Southern California daily newspaper journalist and religion and news editor. He worked 25 years as a middle school teacher in Monrovia and Los Angeles Unified School Districts. Mr. Hernandez can be contacted by email at [email protected].

Get CitizensJournal.us Headlines free  SUBSCRIPTION. Keep us publishing. – DONATE