Ezra and Nehemiah were written to the remnant that was brave enough to return to the land of Israel after the Babylonian captivity. But restoration had not gone smoothly or quickly. Enemies threatened their security. The temple finally was rebuilt, but lacked the glory of Solomon's temple. The walls of Jerusalem were torn down. God used Ezra and Nehemiah to encourage and strengthen the people toward spiritual renewal and rebuilding.These books also speak directly to our times when the church is a tiny minority in a spiritually hostile culture. If you know Christ as Savior and Lord, you stand in continual need of renewal in your walk with Him. We all need frequent renewal because it's easy to settle into a humdrum spiritual routine. It's easy to let our first love for Christ grow dim.