We interrupt our regularly-scheduled devotion to bring you this important update from the heart of My TEA CUPP Prayers blogger, Jennifer Grace…

...I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.  Nehemiah 1:4 (NKJV)

Hello, dear TEA friends,  Instead of my usual devotion today, I decided to write what is on my heart because I’m guessing it’s on many of yours, as well.  If it’s not what you want to hear, that’s okay, you can switch to another website. What’s on my heart today? Our country, The United States of America.

Like many of you, I’ve lifted up so many prayers this past year for our country and its leaders.  When I read Bible verses about plagues in Exodus, I asked God to heal our land from the coronavirus.  When I read verses about fasting in Esther, I fasted and prayed for our nation.  When I read verses about Rachel weeping for her children,  I confessed the sins of our nation and pleaded with God for His mercy and forgiveness.  

When the election came in November, I continued my prayers for our nation as I cast my vote.  And for whom did I vote?  I voted for the one who will work to save those precious babies.  I voted for the one who cares for the people of this country and wants to the protect them in every way. I voted for the one who will keep our nation open so I can travel and invite ladies everywhere to tea with Jesus. I voted for the one who still believes the founding fathers’ edict for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, in all honesty and integrity.

When the new year came, we still did not know who won the election, and our pastor invited us to begin the M’Cheyne Daily Bible Reading Plan.  Ready for a fresh challenge, I signed up.  Now, instead of reading just two Bible readings a day, we are reading four different places in Scripture.  One of these selections is Nehemiah, where I find myself right before the Presidential inauguration.  

What does Nehemiah offer us?  I have found many parallels to our 45th President.  Nehemiah 2:8 says, “the good hand of my God upon me.”  I believe the good hand of God has been upon our President since day one, how else could he have endured so much persecution and mudslinging? Nehemiah 2:18 says of the wall around Jerusalem, “‘Let us rise up and build.’  Then they set their hands to this good work.”  As one of his hundreds of accomplishments, our President has been building a wall which is now over 400 miles long to protect our citizens.  While Nehemiah 3:5 tells of some who “did not put their shoulder to the work of their Lord.” I’m afraid that could apply to many others who hold public office.  

Nehemiah 5:14 tells how neither he nor his brothers “ate the governor’s provisions.”  Our President never took a salary the entire time he’s served at the White House.  And up until last week, he “continued the work on this wall…”  (Nehemiah 5:16, NKJV).

I pray that as our President prepares for the morrow, He is praying Nehemiah 5:19 and 6:3,9…“Remember me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people…I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down…O God, strengthen my hands.”  

Oh, dear President, God is doing a great work and He is coming down soon to help you. And one day He will say to you, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Stand strong and to God be the glory!

…Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome… Nehemiah 4:14 (NKJV)

And when the 11th or 13th hour miracle happens on the morrow, when President Donald “Nehemiah” Trump is anointed President once again, may all Americans perceive that this work was done by our God (Nehemiah 6:16, NKJV) and turn to Him with all their hearts!

…Our God will fight for us.  Nehemiah 4:20 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP:  …I pray, Lord God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments, please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night… (Nehemiah 1:5-6, NKJV)

God bless America, land that I love, Stand beside her and guide her, Through the night with the light from above, From the mountains to the prairies, To the oceans white with foam, God bless America, my home sweet home (Irving Berlin, 1918)

America, America!  God shed His grace on thee, And crown they good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea! (Katharine Bates, 1893)

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson