The God Who Perceives, Purges, and Preserves

Nehemiah New Hope Baptist Church   Date 26 October 2025

Bible Reading: Nehemiah 5:1-13 Scripture Ref: Nehemiah 5:1-5

Title: The God Who Perceives, Purges, and Preserves.

Introduction

Good morning, Church. Praise God that we’re able to gather again this morning to give worship to the great and mighty, sovereign, and faithful God.

Welcome back to our Nehemiah series, where we are now in chapter 5.

Before we move forward, let’s briefly recall where we left off in chapter 4.

In that chapter, God’s people faced intense opposition from outside. As they rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, Sanballat, Tobiah, and the surrounding nations mocked, threatened, and plotted to stop the work.

But with God’s sovereignty and under Nehemiah’s leadership, the people prayed, posted guards, and kept building, with one hand holding a weapon and the other doing the work.

Despite fear and fatigue, the people stood firm because God Himself intervened on their behalf and He is their defender. He frustrated the plans of their enemies, strengthened the hands of His people, and brought peace in the midst of turmoil.

Chapter 4 closes with the assurance that the work of God will stand, because God fights for His people.

But as we turn to chapter 5, we’re left on something of a cliffhanger. The next battle doesn’t come from the enemies outside the walls, but from sin within the community itself.

Will God be done with His people, or will His gracious hand once more bring correction, repentance, and restoration?

Lord willing, we will walk through Nehemiah 5:1–13 in a three-part series to see how God exposes sin, brings conviction, and restores His people to faithfulness.

This morning, we will focus on verses 1–5, where the cries of the oppressed reveal just how deeply injustice had wounded the people of God.

With that in mind, please open your Bibles to Nehemiah 5:1–13 and place your favourite bookmark in that page.

Let us stand together as we read this passage from the Word of God.

Prayer

Most gracious and heavenly Father,

We praise You, for You are our Creator and Redeemer. We give glory to Your name, for You are righteous, holy, and just.

Father, as we come to open Your Word this morning, we confess our sins against You. We plead for Your mercy and ask that You would extend Your hand of grace, that our fellowship with You may be restored through the precious blood of Christ.

Father, we desire to worship You as we hear and receive Your Word today. It is in Your Word that we find timeless truth. It is by Your Word that we have life, and have it abundantly.

We pray, Father, for understanding and illumination by Your Holy Spirit. We pray for focus and attention, knowing that our minds are prone to wander and our hearts are prone to stray.

Keep us by Your sovereign grace. Remove every distraction, every hindrance, and every anxious thought that would steal our attention from You. Let us be guided by Your hand as we study Your Word, that we may bring You glory as we apply it to our lives.

We pray for our church. Speak to our hearts, correct us where correction is needed, and convict us where we have been complacent or compromised.

May our worship be in spirit and in truth, according to Your will.

We bring You all the glory, for You alone are our Defender, our Sustainer, and our faithful covenant-keeping God.

We pray this in the mighty and matchless name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Amen.

The God Who Perceives,

Purges, and Preserves.

Propositional Statement

How can God's people rebuild walls yet remain enslaved within them?

This morning, we confront a sobering reality: it is possible to labor faithfully for God's work while simultaneously oppressing God's people.

The same hands that defended Jerusalem's walls had become instruments of injustice against their own brethren. External victory means nothing if internal corruption remains unchecked.

In Nehemiah 5:1-5, we will see that God perceives the cries of the oppressed, permits crises to expose the hidden sins of the heart, and preserves His covenant people through His merciful intervention.

This passage is necessary for us today because the greatest threat to the church is not persecution from without, but sin from within. We must examine ourselves; our hearts, our homes, and our fellowship, to ensure we are not exploiting, neglecting, or burdening those God has placed in our care.

Are we treating our families, our church members, and those under our spiritual oversight with covenant faithfulness, or have we become like the oppressors in Nehemiah's day, using our position, resources, or influence for personal gain, comfort or convenience rather than sacrificial service?

This study calls us to repentance, vigilance, and holiness. It demands that we hate sin and pursue righteousness with urgency, knowing that true revival begins -when God's people confess their iniquities and return to covenant obedience.

When we do so, our lives will display the justice, mercy, and compassion of our God, and His name will be glorified among the nations.

May the Lord search our hearts today and conform us to the image of Christ, our great Redeemer, who bore our ultimate burden and now calls us to bear one another's burdens in love.

Let us hear what the Spirit says to the church.

1. God Perceives the Cry of His People (v.1)

2. God Permits the Crisis to Expose the Heart (vv.2–4)

3. God Preserves His Covenant People by His Mercy (v.5)

1. God Perceives the Cry of His People (v.1)

1And there was a great cry

of the people

and of their wives

against their brethren the Jews.

After the inspiring response of the Jews to the external threats in chapter 4, we now enter a new and sobering scene in chapter 5.

The people who had displayed remarkable unity, courage, and obedience to God are suddenly divided.

The opening verse signals this sharp contrast: “And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.”

The conjunction “And” links this chapter to the previous one, showing continuity in the narrative, yet it also marks a tragic transition, from victory and unity to defeat and internal strife.

Though they had overcome enemies from without, they now face sin within their own community.

This passage reveals that the true test of covenant faithfulness is not seen merely in external achievement or the rebuilding of the wall, but in internal righteousness and integrity before God, through the sanctification of the soul.

>>The rebuilding of walls means little if the heart within them remains corrupt. The greatest threat to God’s people has never been what surrounds them outside the wall, but the sin that resides in their heart.<<

This cry is not a mere complaint but a desperate, heart-wrenching appeal. The Hebrew word tse‘aqah (צְעָקָה) describes cries of anguish rising from oppression or deep injustice, as seen in Exodus 3:7 when God said, “I have surely seen the affliction of My people... and have heard their cry.”

Nehemiah calls it a great cry; loud, intense, and agonising. This is the same word used of Israel’s cry under Egyptian bondage.

The tragedy is clear: God’s people are crying out again, not because of foreign oppressors, but because of their own brethren.

The word ‘brethren’ (אַח, ach) is repeatedly used in Deuteronomy to remind Israel of their moral obligation toward one another as covenant partners (cf. Deut 15:7–11).

The covenant community that once stood united against enemies is now enslaving one another. The pain that once came from Egypt has now come from within Israel itself.

Notice who raised the cry: “the people and their wives.” If it was the people and their wives crying out for justice, then who were the oppressors? It was their own rulers and nobles.

Perhaps among them were even the nobles of Tekoa, who earlier “put not their necks to the work of their Lord” (3:5). Those who once refused to serve are now found burdening others.

This shows that the suffering reached entire households. Families who had once laboured side by side in the work of the Lord were now burdened and broken by injustice from their own brethren.

Who was the cry against? “Against their brethren the Jews.”

Wait, What?? This is shocking and scandalous.

First, they were called brethren. In Scripture, this word implies more than family ties. It signifies covenant relationship, mutual responsibility, and shared identity under God’s law. To exploit a brother is not merely wrong; it is a betrayal of trust, a violation of God’s covenant, and a direct affront to His justice.

But the text does not stop there. It adds, “the Jews.” These were not just any brothers; they were the covenant people of God, members of His chosen nation, bound together by His promises, heritage, and law.

By identifying the oppressors this way, the text heightens the gravity of their sin.

Didn’t Sanballat and Tobiah hated them precisely because they were Jews?

The combination of “brethren” and “the Jews” drives the point home: these oppressors were fully accountable to God, fully known to the victims, and fully entrusted with the responsibilities of covenantal love.

And here is the scandal: God’s own people, called to reflect His justice and mercy, were instead exploiting one another.

The sin was serious because it violated God’s law.

I invite you to turn with me to a few passages so we can see the gravity of what the oppressors were doing.

In Exodus 22:25, God commands His people not to charge interest to a brother in need. This law ensured that financial hardship would not be compounded by exploitation. By charging their own brethren or forcing them into debt, the oppressors were actively disobeying God’s command and turning necessity into bondage.

In Leviticus 25:39–43, God forbade treating fellow Israelites in poverty as permanent slaves. Instead, they were to be treated as hired workers, preserving their dignity and freedom. The oppressors in Nehemiah’s day had ignored this law, using debt and poverty to enslave their brethren and strip away the very freedom God had commanded them to uphold.

In Deuteronomy 15:7–11, God commands generosity toward the poor, warning that ignoring their needs violates His covenant mercy. By withholding food, forcing families into economic hardship, and exploiting their neighbours, the oppressors were rebelling against God’s covenant and failing the very people He had placed under their care.

When we put these passages together, the full picture emerges:

They were exploiting their brethren, violating explicit commands, and destroying the covenantal unity that God intended.

This was not incidental wrongdoing; it was deliberate rebellion, betrayal of trust, and a scandalous violation of God’s covenant.

The harm was not only social or economic; it struck at the heart of God’s design for His people. Families were burdened, households broken, and the very witness of God’s covenant community was marred.

In short, this was a scandalous violation of the covenant: a failure to honour God, a failure to honour one another, and a failure to preserve the unity, dignity, and wellbeing of God’s people.

Even among God’s redeemed people, indwelling sin remains a real danger. Unless restrained by God’s grace and confronted by His Word, it will corrupt the community from within.

The same enemy that once surrounded the city now finds residence within the heart.

Church, listen. How often has a church, after a season of blessing and faithfulness, fallen into decline because of pride, greed, and injustice within?

We must never assume that outward peace and success -mean inward purity and holiness.

It is a fearful thing when God’s own people become the cause of suffering among their brethren.

When pride, greed, and selfish ambition begin to rule our hearts, we mirror the cruelty of Pharaoh. We join hands with the world. We make sin our ally.

Therefore, we must be vigilant against sin and do not tolerate its presence in our midst.

If we truly long for revival in our families, our church, and our nation, we must hate sin and pursue holiness with urgency.

Division, slander, neglect, gossip, apathy, and half-hearted worship are not small matters, they are spiritual cancers. Left unchecked, they destroy the body of Christ from within.

But here’s the beauty of God’s mercy and grace.

Even when sin divides His people, God in His mercy raises up servants like Nehemiah to restore righteousness and unity.

The hope of God’s people has never rested in their perfection but in His covenant faithfulness.

Where sin abounds, His grace superabounds.

Where fellowship is broken, His Spirit restores.

Remember the good and sovereign hand of God.

Remember God is great and fearsome.

Remember that He frustrates the plans of the wicked.

Remember He fights for His people.

2. God Permits the Crisis to Expose the Heart (vv.2–4)

2For there were that said,

We,

our sons,

and our daughters,

are many:

therefore we take up corn for them,

that we may eat,

and live.

3Some also there were that said,

We

have mortgaged our lands,

vineyards,

and houses,

that we might buy corn,

because of the dearth.

4There were also that said,

We

have borrowed money

for the king’s tribute,

and that upon our lands

and vineyards.

From these verses, we see the causes behind the people’s great cry.

First, Jerusalem had been isolated and cut off from surrounding nations through hostility. This left the city commercially and economically vulnerable, unable to rely on normal trade or outside support.

The rebuilding work demanded total commitment, but the economic strain on the people was immense.

Second, it is not clear when this oppression began, but it likely started even before Nehemiah’s arrival.

One contributing factor may have been Nehemiah 4:22, where those building the wall were commanded to stay in Jerusalem with their servants, guarding by night and working by day.

They could not tend to their farms or businesses, leaving families and property exposed. And into that vulnerability, the nobles and rulers stepped in—not to help, but to exploit.

In these verses, we hear three distinct cries of oppression that reveal the heavy burden placed upon God’s covenant people.

The First Cry: Hunger and Desperation (v.2)

“For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live.” (Nehemiah 5:2)

That opening phrase, “For there were that said,” shows this was not a passing complaint. The people continually cried out about their suffering.

Notice also how verses 2 to 4 repeatedly begin with “We.”

This repetition highlights the shared suffering and collective cry of an oppressed community.

Their pain was not isolated; it was widespread, cutting across families and generations.

Now, pay attention to the people described in this verse:

“We, our sons, and our daughters, are many.”

Is there anything wrong or evil with that phrase? Of course not.

Having many children was never a curse—it was a blessing from God.

In today’s culture, large families often provoke mixed reactions. Some are impressed, others are critical, and in some societies -families are even pressured to limit the number of children.

Yet Scripture calls children a gift from God (Psalm 127:3–5; Genesis 1:28).

The issue is not having many children, which is a blessing, but when society fails to honour and support them, turning God’s gift into a perceived burden.

In this verse, the people were not complaining about their children; they were crying because they could not provide for them.

The blessing had become a burden because of exploitation and injustice from their own brethren, not because of God’s design.

Look at the middle of verse 2: “Therefore we take up corn for them.”

Because the people could not provide food for their families, they were forced to act. The phrase “take up” means to seize or obtain. This is an act of desperation, not voluntary provision.

Why were they desperate to obtain corn?

The last line explains: “That we may eat and live.”

This was a matter of survival, it’s life or death. Their poverty was so severe, and the oppression so great, that what God had blessed them with, children and family, -had become the very thing that could destroy them.

Exhortation

Brethren, this is a warning for us.

God blesses us with families, resources, employment, and possessions.

But even His blessings can become burdens if we fail to honour Him and His design.

Are we truly aware of the needs of those around us; our children, our families, our church, our community? Or are we turning a blind eye?

Are we acting selfishly, or are we bearing one another’s burdens as God commands?

More than that, are we alert to the spiritual needs of those God has entrusted to us?

Fathers, are you leading your households as Christ’s representatives, fulfilling your roles as prophet, priest, and king? Are you teaching, guiding, and nurturing your children in the faith?

As a church, are we cultivating an environment where the spiritual health and maturity of God’s people are our highest priority?

God calls His people to justice, mercy, and compassion. Where others have failed, we must act. Let us ensure that no child and no family in our midst suffers. Not only materially, but spiritually.

Let us not neglect our duty as a covenant community. Let us be faithful stewards of God’s blessings so that what He gives as a gift never becomes a burden.

If  your work that is meant to provide for your family -now keeps you from worshipping and serving God, then that blessing has become a curse.

Surrender your needs to the Lord, and remove whatever hinders your devotion to Him.

But there is hope.

God hears the cries of the oppressed. Even when human justice fails, God is faithful to care for His people.

This points us forward to Christ, who not only feeds the hungry and defends the weak but also bears the ultimate burden of our sin and failure.

He is the model for all fathers, all families, and all His covenant people, showing us how to shepherd and nurture what God has entrusted to us.

The Second Cry: Economic Desperation (v.3)

“Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth.”

That single word “also” tells us this is the same communal cry, but it introduces a deeper level of oppression.

It is no longer just hunger; it is now economic desperation—even bankruptcy.

“We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses.”

This means they pledged their inheritance as collateral to meet immediate needs.

These were not trivial possessions. Their land produced food; their vineyards produced wine for sustenance and trade; their houses were the centre of family life.

Yet out of desperation, they were forced to part with these God-given blessings -just to survive.

What God intended as provision for stability and future generations had become a temporary lifeline in the midst of famine.

When scarcity hits, fear drives people to make choices they would never otherwise consider. These families were pushed to the brink, willing to sacrifice long-term security for short-term survival.

Why did they mortgage their property? “To buy corn,” the verse says.

They mortgaged their inheritance to obtain food because of the famine.

Hunger is urgent; it demands action. But when desperation meets exploitation, God’s blessings become burdens, and survival demands painful sacrifices.

Spiritual Application

Verse 3 warns us of a more subtle danger.

While verse 2 highlighted material deprivation, verse 3 reveals the peril of spiritual bankruptcy.

Spiritually, this warns us against sacrificing long-term faithfulness and obedience for temporary comfort or gain.

It is the temptation to compromise God’s commands, overlook sin, or neglect prayer and Scripture because of fear, convenience, or pressure.

The Jews were diligent in defending the city -but negligent in guarding their hearts and souls.

Material vigilance was strong, -but spiritual vigilance was weak.

Beloved, a family or church may appear secure outwardly -yet be spiritually impoverished.

Spiritual bankruptcy is gradual—it comes through compromise, complacency, and neglect of prayer, study of God’s Word, and corporate worship.

When we prioritise comfort over conviction or money over worship, we begin mortgaging our spiritual inheritance, like Esau when he traded his birthright for food.

Church, let us examine ourselves.

Are we faithfully stewarding our spiritual resources—our prayers, teaching, worship, counsel, and discipline—or are we compromising them because of fear, busyness, or self-interest?

God calls us to trust Him rather than worldly measures.

We are truly blessed in this nation. Let us not allow these blessings to be the cause of our spiritual decline.

Let us ensure that our children and churches inherit not only material stability -but a legacy of faithfulness and obedience.

Guard against spiritual bankruptcy, knowing that only in Christ is our true inheritance secure.

The Third Cry: Bondage and Taxation (v.4)

If verse 2 reveals oppression through hunger, and verse 3 exposes economic bankruptcy, verse 4 shows the deepest level of oppression yet—bondage under external powers, even at the cost of what little remains.

Notice the first word in verse 4: “Also.” It paints a picture of mounting hardship. The blessings of children became the cause of their hunger. Hunger led to bankruptcy, and bankruptcy led to bondage.

They have nothing to eat, nothing left to sell, and now nothing left but debt.

“We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards.”

Not only had they become desperate—they had become dependent.

>>Dependency on others became the path to bondage.

Their situation was the tragic reversal of God’s covenant promise in

Deuteronomy 15:6:

6For the Lord thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee.

If Israel had remained faithful, she would have been the lender, not the borrower. Now, those meant to live in freedom were enslaved by financial obligation.

Worse still, they borrowed money “for the king’s tribute.”

It was not to buy food or redeem their property, but to pay taxes to a pagan monarch.

And note the phrase, “upon our lands and vineyards.” God’s people were paying taxes to a foreign king on land that already belonged to God.

Leviticus 25:23 reminds us:

23The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me.

What humiliation! Paying rent on God’s inheritance!?

The very symbols of blessing—fields and vineyards—had become instruments of debt. They were paying tax on land they had already mortgaged, and borrowing again to do it.

They faced double oppression: from wealthy Jews who took their land as collateral, and from the Persian empire that taxed them mercilessly.

They were trapped in a vicious cycle—borrowing to live, mortgaging to eat, borrowing again to pay taxes, and losing everything in the end.

Exhortation

Brethren, listen carefully to their cry. This is what happens when sin and injustice are left unchecked.

To those in leadership—pastors, fathers, parents, elders, and employers—take heed: oppression multiplies and burdens compound.

Look at their total bondage—bondage to debt, greed, worldly power, and spiritual slavery.

Loved ones, examine yourselves.

***When fear of God is replaced by fear of missing out, when devotion to our jobs replaces worship, when comfort replaces conviction, we become dependent on satisfying those desires—and that dependence enslaves us to the world.

***We mortgage our peace for possessions, our time for success, and our eternal inheritance for temporary worldly gain.

***Church, God’s people are not meant to live under the world’s economy but under His kingdom order.

Beloved, let this verse awaken us.

Do not live bound by fear, debt, or worldly expectation.

The King we serve is not of this world but Christ—the righteous King who paid our debt with His blood.

He cancelled the record of debt that stood against us (Colossians 2:14) and set us free to serve Him joyfully.

Let us therefore live not as debtors to the world, but as stewards of grace—free, faithful, and fruitful in His service.

3. God Preserves His Covenant People by His Mercy (v.5)

5Yet now

our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren,

our children as their children:

and, lo,

we bring into bondage

our sons

 and our daughters

to be servants,

and some of our daughters

are brought unto bondage already:

neither is it in our power

to redeem them;

for other men

have our lands

and vineyards.

Here is the tragedy and result of their desperation, bankruptcy, and debt.

It begins with a strong contrast, a lament that exposes the deep injustice of their situation.

Remember, these people were once united, vigilant, and diligent in rebuilding the wall. Yet, despite that outward unity, this was their real life within the community.

The first phrase of verse 5 says, “Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren.”

In other words, they are of the same flesh and blood as their rulers and nobles. They share the same covenant, lineage, inheritance, and calling as God’s chosen people.

And yet, their own brethren—those who should have cared for them—denied that covenant bond and exploited them for personal gain.

Exhortation: Church, this is a sobering reminder that covenant relationship should never lead to exploitation but to compassion. When we forget that we belong to one body, we begin to treat others not as brethren but as burdens.

Parents, listen carefully. You and your children are both created in the image of God. The same God who calls you to lead your home in faith also calls your children to walk in truth.

Are you faithfully nurturing their spiritual growth, teaching them to know, love, and fear the Lord? Or have you, perhaps unknowingly, become like the nobles of Judah—preoccupied with your own comfort, success, and desires—while your children suffer spiritual famine?

God forbid that we, who are of the same flesh and faith, neglect those entrusted to our care. Let us return to our covenant duty: to love one another as brethren, to build up and not tear down, and to remember that those nearest to us—our families, our church—are not to be used, but to be served for Christ’s sake.

The next phrase, “Our children as their children,”deepens the lament.

The people cry, “Our children are just like theirs.” They share the same flesh and blood, the same covenant identity, and the same promises under God.

Yet their children are treated as inferiors, while the children of the wealthy live in ease and power.

Do you see the tragedy?

The generation that should have grown up side by side in unity and service to the LORD is now divided—one raised to rule, the other forced to serve.

This is not merely social inequality; this is covenant betrayal.

The covenant community was meant to reflect God’s righteousness and justice, but instead, they mirror the nations—exploiting their own brethren.

The children of the poor are stripped of dignity, while the children of the rich are trained to oppress.

Sin never stays personal; it spreads to the next generation. When God’s people forsake His fear, the next generation inherits not blessing, but bondage.

Moses warned about this in Deuteronomy 28:32: “Thy sons and thy daughters shall be given unto another people, and thine eyes shall look, and fail with longing for them all the day long: and there shall be no might in thine hand.”

Covenant judgment is real: when the fear of God is lost, families are torn apart, children are taken, and generations are ruined.

Brethren, this should awaken us. Are our children seeing the fear of God in us, or are they learning that worldly gain matters more than godliness?

The tragedy of Nehemiah’s day is not far from us—when God’s people love profit more than people, their children will learn to do the same.

Look at the next phrase:

“And, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants.”

This is tragic. The people confessed with deep grief that they themselves had brought their children into bondage. Desperation, not greed, drove them to this place.

Oppressors’ sin led others into sin, forcing parents to compromise to survive.

This mirrors Israel’s history—a nation once redeemed from Egyptian bondage now re-enslaving their own children.

Loved ones, how quickly sin can reverse redemption!

When we reorder our lives around the world—its lusts, comforts, and temptations—we sacrifice our sanctification.

Instead of standing for truth and righteousness, we bow to survival and self-preservation.

Instead of trusting God’s provision, we rely on the world’s systems, slowly forfeiting the freedom Christ has won.

“And some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already.”

It is already happening. While building the walls, their daughters are enslaved—possibly as concubines or forced into servitude. Israel has become like Egypt again.

Church, hear this: when we gratify fleshly desires and yield to sin, the consequences are immediate and personal. Every indulgence, every act of rebellion begins to enslave us right away. Christ bore the cost of that sin Himself. Sin’s satisfaction is fleeting, and the cost is already paid by the Saviour.

Look at the last line of verse 5:

“Neither is it in our power to redeem them, for other men have our lands and vineyards.”

Here is absolute hopelessness.

They have no means, resources, or strength to free their sons and daughters.

Redemption is impossible in their own hands—a vivid picture of every sinner apart from God, powerless to redeem themselves from sin and death.

Their inheritance is gone, their oppressors have taken control, and justice seems impossible.

Exhortation: Notice the hopelessness. Without God’s intervention, there is no escape.

Redemption comes only from Him. God raises up leaders like Nehemiah and provides the means for restoration.

When we are powerless, we are called to trust the God who redeems what is lost. Let this awaken us to our dependence on Him and stir our hearts to plead for His mercy and restoration.

Conclusion Application

Church, we have heard the great cry of God's people this morning.

A cry of hunger, bankruptcy, and bondage.

A cry against their own brethren.

A cry that reveals the tragic reality: it is possible to rebuild walls while remaining enslaved within them.

But here is the gospel truth that pierces through this darkness: where human redemption fails, divine redemption prevails.

The people cried, "Neither is it in our power to redeem them."

They were powerless, hopeless, and broken. Yet God did not abandon them.

He perceived their cry, He exposed the sin of the oppressors, and He raised up Nehemiah to bring justice and restoration.

Beloved, this is our hope.

We too are powerless to redeem ourselves from sin's bondage.

We cannot free ourselves from guilt, deliver ourselves from Satan's grip, or purchase our way into God's favour.

Our redemption is not in our power—it is in Christ alone.

Jesus Christ is the true and better Nehemiah. He heard our cry when we were enslaved to sin. He confronted the oppressor—Satan himself—and defeated him at the cross. He paid the debt we could never pay and purchased our freedom with His precious blood.

Where we have failed to love our brethren, Christ loved us unto death.

Where we have exploited and oppressed, Christ humbled Himself and became a servant.

Where we have turned God's blessings into burdens, Christ bore our burdens and gave us rest.

So what must we do?

First, repent. Examine your heart. Have you exploited, neglected, or burdened those God has placed in your care?

Confess it now. Turn from it. Return to covenant faithfulness.

Second, trust Christ. Your redemption is not in your power—it is in His finished work. Rest in His sufficiency and provision.

Third, reflect His mercy. Bear one another's burdens. Guard against sin in your homes, your church, and your own soul.

Pursue holiness with urgency, knowing that God fights for His people and His grace will sustain us.

The greatest threat to the church is not what surrounds us, but the sin that resides within us.

Let us therefore be vigilant, prayerful, and faithful, that our lives would display the justice, mercy, and compassion of our covenant-keeping God.

May the Lord search our hearts, conform us to the image of Christ, and use us as instruments of His redemption in this broken world.

To God alone be the glory. Amen.

Prayer

Gracious and covenant-keeping God,

We bow before You this morning with hearts that are both heavy and hopeful—heavy with the weight of our own sin, and hopeful in the sufficiency of Your grace.

Father, we have heard the cry of Your people in Nehemiah's day, and we confess that the same sins dwell within us. We have been quick to build walls and slow to guard our hearts. We have laboured for Your work while neglecting those You have entrusted to our care.

We confess that we have often treated our brethren not with covenant love, but with selfish ambition. We have exploited when we should have served. We have burdened when we should have borne. We have neglected the cries of the weak, the hungry, and the oppressed—even within our own families and churches.

Father, forgive us. We are like the nobles of Judah—more concerned with our own comfort than with Your justice. We have mortgaged our spiritual inheritance for temporary gain. We have become dependent on the world's economy rather than trusting in Your kingdom provision.

Lord, we lament the bondage we see around us and within us. We cry out, as Your people did in Nehemiah's day, "Neither is it in our power to redeem." We are powerless apart from You.

But we praise You, O God, that where our strength fails, Your grace abounds. We thank You for Jesus Christ, our true Redeemer, who heard our cry, bore our burdens, and purchased our freedom with His own blood. He has cancelled the debt we could never pay and set us free from the bondage of sin and death.

Father, we plead for Your mercy upon our families, our church, and our nation. Raise up faithful servants like Nehemiah who will confront sin, pursue righteousness, and restore covenant faithfulness. Give us courage to guard our hearts and our fellowship. Give us compassion to bear one another's burdens. Give us wisdom to steward what You have entrusted to us—our children, our resources, our influence—for Your glory alone.

Search our hearts, O Lord. Expose what is hidden. Convict where we have been complacent. Restore what has been broken. And may our lives display the justice, mercy, and holiness of the God we serve.

We long for revival, Father—not just outward success, but inward transformation. Purge us, preserve us, and use us as instruments of Your redemption in this broken world.

We bring You all the glory, for You alone are our Defender, our Redeemer, and our covenant-keeping God.

We pray this in the mighty and matchless name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Amen.