Nehemiah worked for the king. One day some men went to see Nehemiah. They told him the city of Jerusalem was in trouble. The walls had been broken down and the gates burned. The news made Nehemiah very sad. He cried for many days. Then Nehemiah prayed all day and night. Nehemiah said, “God, Your people have not obeyed You, but You promised long ago that You would forgive us and be with us. Please hear my prayer, God. Help me be brave when I talk to the king about this situation.” When Nehemiah went to the king, Nehemiah looked sad. The king asked why. Nehemiah was afraid to answer, but then he told the king how his city, Jerusalem, had been destroyed and the gates burned. The king asked Nehemiah what he wanted from the king. Before Nehemiah answered, he prayed to God again. Then Nehemiah said to the king, “Please send me to Jerusalem so I may help my people rebuild the gates and the walls of the city.” The king listened to Nehemiah’s plan, then he sent Nehemiah to Jerusalem so Nehemiah could begin the work. Nehemiah knew God had heard his prayers.

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The temple had been torn down for many years. No one bothered to rebuild it. The people said, “The time has not come for God’s house to be rebuilt.” But God was not pleased with this. God chose Haggai to give an important message to Zerubbabel, a leader for the people. This was God’s message: “You have built homes for yourselves, while My house, the temple, is in ruins. Think carefully about what you have done. You work, eat, clothe yourselves, but you’re never happy.” God told the people to go to the hills to get lumber and build the temple. “Then I will be pleased,” God said. God told Haggai to tell Zerubbabel to be strong. “Work! I am with you,” said God. “Don’t be afraid.” The people obeyed God’s instructions. They began working on God’s house. When the people finished building the temple, God said it would be even greater than the one before.

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