Over this Autumn we’re going to be looking in our Sunday sermons at the Old Testament book of Nehemiah. If you’re unfamiliar with the book here’s a little bit of background – many of the people of Israel were in exile in Persia but were gradually being allowed to return to Jerusalem. If Jerusalem was ever to become viable again it was vital it needed its defensive walls. Nehemiah hears the news of the first group to return to Jerusalem but unfortunately the walls haven’t been built. So Nehemiah leads another group with rebuilding the walls as its mission. As we go through this book we will discover that this was no easy task and required the work and involvement of everybody . . . . But we’ll also see that the rebirth of Jerusalem wasn’t just about physical walls but also (and more importantly) about a spiritual resetting. Now, in our context we are fortunate to have physical buildings . . . . but  there is a sense that as we start to meet together in our churches that we have the opportunity for a spiritual “resetting” as well. What might that look like for you or me I wonder?We start in chapter 1 by looking at how Nehemiah responds to the disappointing news that nothing so far has been done about the walls for Jerusalem. He doesn’t sulk or blame someone else but rather brings the situation to God, asks for his help and then is ready to act on opportunities God may provide. It’s a challenge to us when we hear disappointing news or face difficulties – have we the humility to bring them to God and the courage to act on any opportunities he might provide?