When my kids were young, the movie Aladdin came out. The first time I watched Aladdin wish to be a prince, then become it immediately, I thought, I’m going to have to talk to these kids about this! Life doesn’t work this way!
It’s why Matthew 12:33 urges us to focus on the health of the tree—so that its fruit will be good.
The story of Nehemiah reveals how we can focus on what truly fuels lasting change, ensuring our fruit grows good.
First, focus on the why behind the cry. Nehemiah 5:1 tells us, “Now the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their fellow Jews.” Verses 2-5 go on to tell us the reasons for their cries. Some cried out because of poverty, some for debt, and some for usury.
Nehemiah began to fuel change when he chose to listen to the cry of those around him, seeking out the reason for it. We can do the same.
The Bible says not listening to others is foolish, shameful, and allows inappropriate expressions of anger (Proverbs 18:13; James 1:19). Listening, however, causes God’s blessing to come to us while making us more like Jesus (Isaiah 55:3; John 5:1-3).
The second way to fuel lasting change is to address what needs brought under control. In verses 6-7 Nehemiah says, “When I heard their outcry and these charges, I was very angry. I pondered them in my mind and then accused the nobles and officials. I told them, ‘You are charging your own people interest!’ So I called together a large meeting to deal with them.”
This is how we too will initiate change in our lives and in the lives of those around us—by moving from understanding to wise intervention.
Then, we must also consecrate ourselves to God’s truth. In verses 9-12, Nehemiah urged the people to turn to God’s truth. In verse 9, he recalls, “So I continued, ‘What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies?'”
After we listen and address immediate issues, we must let God’s truth light our paths forward. This is the only way to lasting, godly change.
Finally, in verses 12-13, Nehemiah gives us the capstone for fueling real change: commit to accountable relationships. It says, “…’Then I summoned the priests and made the nobles and officials take an oath to do what they had promised… And the people did as they had promised.’”
This is a crucial element in fueling lasting change—surrounding ourselves with God-fearing people who will hold us accountable to the transformation our hearts desire.
I encourage you, friend—embrace the patient path to change. When you focus on what fuels real, lasting transformation rather than instant results, you’re building something beautiful that will endure. Like Nehemiah’s rebuilt walls, the change you create through listening, addressing, consecrating, and committing will stand the test of time!
