To this point in the book of Nehemiah, almost every outcome has come out ideally; enemies plot against Nehemiah, but they are not effective in their attempt to halt his leadership. Despite all adversity, the wall is built in 52 days. The Law is read to the people, and they repent emphatically. In verse 13, the narrative shifts a little bit as Nehemiah spends years away from Jerusalem. When he returns and the Israelites have turned away from honoring God, his reaction is to say to God, “Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds.” Israel broke every religious resolution that they made before God. Somewhere along the way, their religious responsibilities lost their importance. So often for us, our story is the same: we have moments of religious fervor that give way to blatant disobedience. We get stuck in sin, even when we see time and time again how disobedience does not end well in our life or other’s. The only way from this pattern is to follow Jesus wholeheartedly, which always requires sacrifice. Religious responsibility doesn’t have the power to lead you to long term faithfulness, but only a true relationship with Jesus, This is because responsibility requires but relationship inspires.