LEARNING TO CONFESS WITH HUMILITY

“You came down also on Mount Sinai, and spoke with them from heaven, and gave them just ordinances and true laws, good statutes and commandments. You made known to them Your holy Sabbath, and commanded them precepts, statutes and laws, by the hand of Moses Your servant. You gave them bread from heaven for their hunger, and brought them water out of the rock for their thirst, and told them to go in to possess the land which You had sworn to give them. “But they and our fathers acted proudly, hardened their necks, and did not heed Your commandments. They refused to obey, and they were not mindful of Your wonders that You did among them. But they hardened their necks, and in their rebellion they appointed a leader to return to their bondage.  But You are God, ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abundant in kindness, and did not forsake them.  

Nehemiah 9:13-17     

God didn’t hold back His goodness.  He gave the Israelites what was good and just and true.  He made known to them the most holy things.  He satisfied their hunger and thirst.  He fulfilled His vows and gave them the land He promised.   

Yet the people hardened their hearts, rejected His wonders, and chose to return to a life of bondage in an act of rebellion.   

Still, the Lord remained merciful.  His forgiveness flowed out of His very nature to show His grace, mercy  and patience.  He did not forsake them, and He does not forsake us.  

THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS 

God not only forgives me but gives me His forgiveness so I can give it to others.  If I desire His grace, mercy, patience, and kindness, then I first must forgive others.  God, in His mercy, helped the Israelites and continues to help His people today.   

God made known to them His holy Sabbath and blesses His people through their obedience of Sabbath rest, just ordinances, true laws, good statutes, and His commandments.      

He is God, ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abundant in kindness. Forgiveness is in His nature.  He’s waiting for me to seek Him today.   

Lord, You see my heart.  I confess that I often hold onto judgment and struggle to forgive.  Teach me to remember how You have forgiven me, so I can also forgive others.  Fill me with Your mercy and kindness.  Help me to rest in Your forgiveness and live out of its abundance.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.