It seems that Nehemiah’s efforts were in vain as they didn’t bring about lasting change in the people. Despite all of Nehemiah’s efforts we see that there was no real spiritual transformation that took place. The revival was short lived, and the people went back to living as they had before: breaking the same laws and covenants they had in the past. Because our sin problem is so pervasive and so deeply ingrained—we need something that will change us from the inside out – we need Christ. That is why Nehemiah is on his knees, asking God to remember him. If we want real spiritual transformation and revival, we must know Jesus Christ. Until we know Jesus, there will be no long-lasting transformation. Without Jesus, all of Nehemiah’s efforts would have been in vain. But Jesus came, and in Jesus our labor in the Lord is not in vain.