English Standard Version
It's easy to focus on external enemies -- we can rally around the cause and raise awareness and form a common identity as we have 'us' versus 'them'.
What can happen, though, is we spend so much time focused externally that we forget to take care of those within our borders. Here, Nehemiah has everyone focused on building the wall, but in the meantime, the powerful are taking advantage of the weak. Some of the poor are having to sell family members into debt-slavery to make ends meet, and tragedy is occurring within the community as the weak are lost within the ongoing struggle to get the wall built.
May we consistently pray for the Holy Spirit wisdom to see the world as God sees it, that we can see the despair in the world, and often in our own community. It's easy to forget about those within our borders who are in dire need of help when we're focused externally. May we look to serve with consistency.
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