Complaining is draining! It only takes away energy from today and never solves problems for tomorrow. And what’s more, a complaining tongue reveals an ungrateful heart. Here in Nehemiah 5, we see that tension was growing among God’s people as complainers voiced their grievances. Some of these complaints were legitimate, but Nehemiah set out to fix the issues and stop the protests.

I. The Local Condition (vv. 1-5)

II. The Leader’s Reaction (vv. 6-7)

III. The Loving Solution (vv. 7-19)

Talk with God: Meditate on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the situations in your life that you are more prone to complain about than to pray about.

Talk with others: Ask a mentor or trusted believer to hold you accountable to pray and give thanks in everything as you “follow the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) this week.

Talk with kids: How does Jesus save us from God’s judgment of sin?

In life, you don’t get to choose between building and battling—you’re called to do both. In Nehemiah 4, we discover how to keep building the future while fighting off the fear, distraction, and opposition that threaten to stop us. Whether it’s clearing the rubble of your past, guarding the vulnerable places in your life, or learning to trust God as your ultimate defender, we are called to stay strong in the fight and faithful in the work. Don’t drop your shovel. Don’t sheathe your sword. The wall goes up when you show up.

I. Buried in the Rubble (v. 10)

II. Threats in the Shadows (vv. 11-12)

III. Guard the Gaps (vv. 13-18)

IV. Backup on the Battlefield (vv. 19-23)

Talk with God: Meditate on Hebrews 4:12 and ask the Lord for the discipline and courage to take up your sword—the Word—as you step onto the battlefield each day.

Talk with others: Go to battle in prayer for your Connect Group or circle of believers and ask them how you can guard the gaps and provide backup for them this week.

Talk with kids: How do the Commandments teach us to love God and people?