A blueprint for 2026
Conviction → Confession → Construction
What do you want to build in 2026?
A stronger physique?
A healthier bank account?
A life no longer dependent on alcohol?
All of these are worthy goals.
But how do you plan to achieve them?
And where is God in your plans?
For a blueprint worth following, turn to the Old Testament book of Nehemiah.
Nehemiah was an exile serving in Persia when he learned that Jerusalem’s walls were still in ruins. The news crushed him. But he didn’t rush into action or start drafting plans.
Instead, Nehemiah followed a God-honoring pattern:
Conviction → Confession → Construction
By following that pattern, Nehemiah rebuilt the walls in 52 days after hundreds of years of ruin.
Before we start building in 2026, let’s study Nehemiah’s blueprint.
Brick 1 — CONVICTION
Nehemiah’s response to the news of Jerusalem’s continued crumbling state says a lot about his heart.
“As soon as I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying…” — Nehemiah 1:4
And he really meant days.
We see in Chapter 1 that Nehemiah first heard the news in the month of Chislev. Chapter 2 opens four months later in the month of Nisan—the first month of the Hebrew calendar.
That means Nehemiah’s New Year resolution began well in advance.
Charles Spurgeon said this about Nehemiah:
“He never had it off his mind for nearly four months. Day and night Jerusalem seemed written on his heart, as if the name were painted on his eyeballs. He could only see Jerusalem.”
Do you have this level of conviction? Is your plan written on your heart and the back of your eyelids? If not, don’t quit. Pray.
Brick 2 — CONFESSION
Prayer is the cement of any project God calls you to build.
It has to be your steering wheel, not your spare tire.
Pastor John Piper said it well:
“Prayer is a walkie-talkie for warfare, not a domestic intercom for increasing our conveniences.”
Nehemiah is well-armed with prayer in the war he wages on the crumbled walls.
He identifies the real issue: sin. Israel’s rebellion brought the walls down, and rebuilding required repentance.
Beginning in verse 5, Nehemiah praises God, pleads for His attention, and then confesses with brutal honesty:
“We have acted very corruptly against you…” — Nehemiah 1:7
He confesses his sin, his family’s sin, and his nation’s sin.
That’s leadership.
That’s ownership.
And for us, confession isn’t just admitting guilt—it’s embracing God’s grace:
“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” — Romans 10:9
If you want to build something for the Kingdom of God, begin with earnest prayer. Identify why your walls have crumbled before you start rebuilding.
Brick 3 — CONSTRUCTION
Nehemiah ends with a prayer asking for strength to do the work, not for the work to be done for him.
“Give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy…” — Nehemiah 1:11
Operation Mustard Seed exists because faith without works is dead (James 2:17).
Yes, grace alone saves, but we are His workmanship, created to walk in the good works prepared for us in Christ (Ephesians 2:8–10).
If you want to move mountains, partner with God and pick up a shovel.
Pastor Jimmy Gilford at Multiply Church says it perfectly:
“If you want to see something you’ve never seen, be ready to do something you’ve never done.”
What will you do differently in 2026 to honor God?
Mountain Mover
Use 3×5 index cards as “prayer bricks.”
Write down convictions, prayers, and resolutions that honor God.
Post them where you’ll see them—on a mirror, fridge, or dashboard.
Join a group of three or four friends. Combine your prayer bricks into a wall.
Pray together.
Build together.
Share your prayer bricks in the comment below.
Need a resolution? Read the Bible. Download the YouVersion Bible App and start a reading plan to read the entire Bible in a year.
Nothing has moved mountains in my spiritual life like digging into Scripture.
What stood out to you from today’s devotional? Drop a comment below.
If this encouraged you, share it with someone.
Connect with Operation Mustard Seed on Facebook or Instagram.
Testimony or prayer need? Email: opmustardseed@gmail.com
Yessir, it just takes us being faithful to what we feel God has called us to do. Resting in His presence. Growing closer to Him every day. Prayers for you as you seek to deepen your walk with Christ this year as well.
Hi Ryan
My wife and I have been using Youbible's Bible Project plan link. My church used Bible Projects' videos for Advent so we are familiar with its' excellent art and explanations.
The Genesis videos have been well done thus far, even allowing for the fallen angel interpretation of bene elohim, thankfully :)
Thanks for suggesting this app.
I note Biblehub has significantly increased its' devotion and now has devotions for 'dawn' and 'dusk'.
Blessings
David