Skip to main content

Nehemiah-5

Rebuilding Trust: A Devotional Study on Nehemiah 5​

Introduction​

The book of Nehemiah offers an inspiring story of restoration and rebuilding. Nehemiah, an official of King Artaxerxes, hears of the ruins of Jerusalem and leads a team to rebuild the city. Along the way, Nehemiah confronts challenges not only in the rebuilding process but in preserving the trust and unity of his people. As we delve into Nehemiah 5, let's reflect on how we can build and restore trust in our own relationships.

Section 1: The Burden of Debt (Nehemiah 5:1-5)​

Devotional Thought: Nehemiah learns of the exploitation of the people. They've borrowed from their fellow Israelites and, as a result, work as forced laborers to repay debts. Confronting injustice is a necessary component of trust-building. Today, reflect on the injustices you've seen in your relationships and how you can work towards justice and restitution.

Reflection Questions:

  • Have you witnessed injustices in your relationships?
  • What steps can you take towards establishing justice and restitution?

Section 2: Nehemiah's Response (Nehemiah 5:6-13)​

Devotional Thought: Nehemiah takes swift action to stop the usury and foster trust. He rebukes the Nobles and demands that they return what they unjustly collected. Your actions reflect your priorities. Today, reflect on how you can prioritize trust-building in your relationships.

Reflection Questions:

  • Are your actions prioritizing trust-building in your relationships?
  • How can you actively foster trust in your interactions?

Section 3: Reaffirming the Commitment (Nehemiah 5:14-19)​

Devotional Thought: Nehemiah's swift response gets the people's attention, and they reaffirm their commitment to rebuilding the city. Their renewed commitment shows that trust is a mutually beneficial outcome. Today, consider how you can encourage trust-building in your relationships.

Reflection Questions:

  • Are you encouraging trust-building in your relationships?
  • How can you promote a culture of trust in your interactions?

Section 4: Prayers for Protection and Provision (Nehemiah 5:18-19)​

Devotional Thought: Nehemiah expresses gratitude to God for providing protection and resources. Trust-building is entwined with reliance on and reverence for God. Today, reflect on how you can deepen your trust in God and build trust with your loved ones.

Reflection Questions:

  • How can you deepen your trust in God?
  • In what ways can you apply God's provision and protection in your relationships?

Conclusion:​

Nehemiah 5 offers an inspiring lesson on rebuilding trust. And, as we've seen, confronting injustice, promoting justice, renewing commitments, and deepening trust in God are all necessary components of the process. May we learn from Nehemiah's experience and build trust in our relationships, rooted in our dependence on and reverence for God.