Introduction
Nehemiah 13 Renewing hope... Jesus is our only hope
In chapter 12 we saw the culmination of all that has been achieved in Jerusalem. The wall was rebuilt and worship was reinstated. Mission accomplished! Nehemiah then returns to his duties serving the Persian king Artaxerxes for an unknown amount of time. As he lives in Babylon the events of the years prior likely play out continually in his head and his dreams as he recounts all that God has done for him and his people. Then one day he is granted the privilege to return to Jerusalem, and he returns to find that all the promises the people had made to God have been broken. The temple and worship were not being maintained. The people went back to marrying foreign wives and the Sabbath became just another day for trading in the markets. Nehemiah immediately begins doing anything and everything in his power to restore the people once more. His prayers show his heart break and his fading hope for his people. As judgement and exile one more seem inevitable due to the prevalence of sin and disregard for God and his law.
Discussion
- Take turns reading Nehemiah chapter 13
- Do you resonate with the longing for lasting transformation in the church?
- Where are you currently discouraged by cycles of failure rather than sustained holiness or faithfulness?
Pray with one another. Pray that the Holy Spirit reaches into the depths of your heart to reveal sin and doubt, and that these strongholds are overthrown by the power of the blood of Jesus.