*DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL* *MONDAY, DECEMBER 23 2019* *CONFLICT RESOLUTION* TEXT: NEHEMIAH 5:1-13.

*DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL*

*MONDAY, DECEMBER 23 2019*

*CONFLICT RESOLUTION*

TEXT: NEHEMIAH 5:1-13.

_🔑KEY VERSE: "Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise" (NEHEMIAH 5:12)._

Nehemiah, the wise and faithful governor, who, while busy with the rebuilding of the Jerusalem wall and fighting off the attacks of the enemies abroad, was also confronted with complaints of the people. He was no less bold and active to redress grievances at home and kept the people from also destroying one another.

In the verses under consideration, the poor brethren complained of the great hardship the rich brethren had put them into, to feed their families. The situation was so pathetic that Nehemiah was very angry when he heard their cry.

Nehemiah reacted quickly to the complaint, not minding the serious business of building the wall because he knew that no matter how thick the wall was built, dispute within the town would break the wall. Though angry at the nobles, he controlled his anger and rebuked the nobles with wisdom by including himself as part of the problem. This made the nobles unable to defend themselves as he called them to deal with their brethren for the fear of the Lord and because of the reproach of the enemies. To make the nobles obey the agreement, the priests were invited to take oaths.

Every human association is characterised by differences of ideas and interests. Associations, particularly in the workplace and the church is not spared by these demographic, cultural and intellectual diversities. They throw up disagreements, disputes and doctrinal misunderstanding.

When disputes and differences arise, we should willingly subscribe to godly efforts to contain them. The word of God commands the believer to seek counsel where necessary (Proverbs 20:18).

*✍THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:* Seek godly counsels to settle disputes.

COVER TO COVER: JUDE.

*MEDITATION*

Settle that conflict

*1. Lukewarmness: The conflict and the cry* vv1-5.
a. The conflict was among brethren of the same faith and family v5.
b. It had to do with oppression, exploitation and taking advantage of the poor and the subjects by the rich and the rulers, including over taxation vv1-5. So the rich and the rulers become richer and the poor becomes poorer thus scrapping the middle class.
c. This led to deprivation of basic necessities of life including feeding, accommodation and clothing.
d. Compare with what also happened in the early Church Acts 6:1.
e. Each member of the family, spiritual and natural, should show enough love and care that the needy among them are empowered and helped to have basic necessities of life.
e. Greed, selfishness, lack of empathy for others, etc are all symptoms of the old and sinful nature.
*Lord*, let true and practical love to fellow brethren fill the heart of all members of the Church🙏
*Lord*, cleanse every believer from the tendency to greed, selfishness and taking advantage of the weak and the poor🙏
*2. Leadership: The care and the concern* vv6-13.
a. Nehemiah took a prompt step to rectify the problem without accusing the oppressed as being carnal and lacking grace.
b. He was on the side of the truth and the poor not minding the reactions of the selfish ruler and powers that be.
c. He was not afraid of rebuking evil doers even though they belonged to the influential club.
d. He did it with wisdom to the point that the erring rich rulers were convicted and willingly did restitution to the cheated.
e. All his actions were taken in the name of the Lord and according to the scriptures.
*Lord*, give our leaders the grace and the wisdom to be God fearing without partiality🙏
*Lord*, unresolved conflicts quench the move of the Spirit. Give abundance of grace and love to your children to have true love for one another🙏

HYMN: Show a little bit of love and kindness

1. Sing a song, Sing a song; Spread some cheer, Spread some cheer
There are sad and lonely faces every where...
Be a friend, Be a friend; Show some love, Show some love
It will lift them from the dungeons of despair.
*Chorus*
Show a little bit of love and kindness,
Never go around with hatred's blindness
Take a little time to reach for joy and wear a happy face...
Sing a little bit when the days are dreary,
Offer little help to a friend who's weary
That's the way to make the world a happy place.

2. Offer help, Offer help; Bring some hope, Bring some hope
To the fainting and discouraged on life's road;
See a need, lend a hand,
There are many who are crushed beneath their load.

3. Be a light, show the way,
Be a light within the night for those astray;
Speak a word, loving word,
That will bring them back to walk the narrow way.