(You can now listen to today’s MY Devotional on Leading The Way’s daily devotional podcast!)

A city’s walls keep her enemies from advancing. They protect the people inside from harm. They offer protection and a clear border that all can see. But when those walls are breached—when stone is torn from stone so that mere rubble remains—the city and its people are left vulnerable to every wind that blows and every vandal that prowls.

The book of Nehemiah tells the true story of a Jewish slave, cupbearer to the king of Persia, and his mission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. But this historical account is about much more than construction. In Nehemiah, we find plans that will help us rebuild the broken-down walls in our own world.

Today, walls that once provided protection against the enemy’s schemes are crumbling all around us—in our families, our churches, and our culture. Today, more than ever, God is calling His people to be men and women who, like Nehemiah, will trust Him with their lives and work to repair the damage before it is too late.

Being neither a construction worker, nor a contractor, nor a stonemason, Nehemiah was not an expert in wall repair. But God used him because he was a willing servant. As we look through the book of Nehemiah in the coming days, ask God to kindle within you a greater desire to serve—to be ready and willing to rebuild any walls in your life.

Prayer: Lord, show me the broken walls You want me to rebuild. Use me to rebuild the broken foundations in my life and in the lives of others. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“As you come to him, the living Stone . . . you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:4-5).

Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon Rebuilding Our Broken Walls, Part 1: WATCH NOW | LISTEN NOW

Check out more from Dr. Michael Youssef, here!

About The Author

Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

Even before he was born, it is clear that God had a vision for Michael Youssef. His mother was in poor health when she became pregnant with Michael, and because his life was in danger at the time of birth, the doctor recommended terminating the pregnancy. An abortion was scheduled. But God intervened and sent the family pastor to reassure them that God was involved in this pregnancy. He told them not to be afraid and that the child would be "born to serve the Lord." Michael's parents accepted the pastor's message as a message from God and obeyed. His mother gave birth, and lived to see him give his life to the Lord at the age of sixteen.


Believing that God had called him out of Egypt, Michael sought an exit visa in a time in which no university student was allowed to have a passport or leave the country. God intervened again, and miraculously he managed to acquire a visa. He immigrated to Australia, where he studied at Moore Theological College in Sydney, was ordained as a pastor, and met Elizabeth who became his wife.


The Youssefs came to America in 1977, and in 1978 Michael received a master's degree in theology at Fuller Theological Seminary in California. Then he earned a doctorate in social anthropology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Michael served nearly ten years in the Haggai Institute, traveling around the world more than 32 times, teaching courses in evangelism and leadership. He rose to the position of Managing Director at the age of 31 years. The family settled in Atlanta, and in 1984, Michael became a citizen of the United States, making his dream of many years come true.


He founded The Church of The Apostles in 1987 with fewer than 40 adults with the mission of "Equipping the Saints and Searching for the Lost". The church has since grown to be a congregation of over 3,000 people today. This church has driven the international ministry of Leading the Way. While it is heard by millions at home and abroad, behind every message preached through radio waves, is the heart of a pastor, willing to nurture and care for these people. Clearly God has uniquely equipped Dr. Youssef to speak to a global audience. The path he has taken has given him an understanding and firm grasp of the Scriptures that transcend cultures. He preaches, teaches and calls with a sincere, based on the authority of the inerrant, inspired Word of God. With his personal knowledge of the Holy Land, its history and culture, Dr. Michael Youssef transmits life to listeners all over the world.



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