Reconstruction: A Study in NehemiahSample

What does it say?

After receiving news that Jerusalem was in ruins and its inhabitants disgraced, Nehemiah confessed the nation’s sins and asked God for favor with the king.

What does it mean?

Nehemiah and many of God’s people were captives in Persia. Those returning to Jerusalem intermarried people from other nations and took on their pagan practices. This once great nation, a symbol of God’s richest blessings, had become a disgrace. Nehemiah’s immediate response to the condition of the city and its inhabitants was to mourn, fast, and pray. He confessed his sin as well as that of his countrymen. Through it all, Nehemiah understood God’s promises were still true, and that restoration of God’s people was possible.

How should I respond?

You don’t have to look very hard to find stories of professing Christians whose lives have been turned upside down by sin and its devastating consequences. What is your initial reaction to another believer’s moral or ethical failure? When God reveals sin – anyone’s sin – our response should be sorrow and repentance. Not being heartbroken could indicate pride has deceived us into rationalizing our sin. Instead, earnestly pray and ask God to reveal your shortcomings, claiming His promise of forgiveness. Then pray for the person caught in sin. Restoration is possible!