Recently I've been looking to get a nicer lens for my 20D. I took my 20D to campus today but didn't really take any pictures. In the evening we had small group, and celebrated Derrick's birthday afterwards. While Joseph closed the meeting in prayer, Henry quietly went to the kitchen and lit a birthday cake.

Later on in the evening we celebrated Derrick's birthday again with all the junior dwight brothers.

Devotion time questions:

Nehemiah 5

Given that the building project was still going on, and they had just surmounted external threats, the timing of the poor’s outcry might not have seemed the best. Yet, what is surprising about Nehemiah’s response?

Instead of rebuking them for the timing of their outcry, he ponders he problem and resolves to help the poor be treated fairly.

Given that the rich were probably influential, and much needed in the building project, what does Nehemiah’s response in squarely dealing with the injustice to the poor by calling a “large meeting to deal with them” reveal about his character and values?

He does not compromise values for results just because the nobles and officials had the power to hinder the building process. He considered addressing injustices more important than results.

What does this incident reveal about injustice and unity?

For unity, we must help people facing injustices who cannot help themselves, and look past ourselves to the good of others.

Reflect on the words “I was very angry” and “I pondered them in my mind.” In what ways do I need the balance of these two traits?

Inappropriate responses when angry are counterproductive, but Nehemiah carefully measures his words and reaction to the injustices.

Why would it have been important for Nehemiah to summon the priests and make the nobles “take an oath to do what they had promised” and then add a curse on top of everything else?

The nobles were not simply making a promise to Nehemiah, but making a promise to God regarding God's people. This way, they would be held accountable to God for the injustices they vowed to end.

Reflect on the words “Out of reverence for God I did not act like that.” This should characterize all God’s servants. What are some things that I could have, but “out of reverence for God, I did not act like that”?