LEARNING TO CONFESS WITH HUMILITY—DAY 1 (Monday)

Jul 25, 2022
2 min read

Nehemiah 9:13-17

“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.

God didn’t hold back. 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.

But the Israelites refused to obey Him and didn’t heed His great wonders, so they hardened their hearts in an act of rebellion. They chose to return to a life of bondage.

Even in the midst of rebellion, God did not forsake them. He is full of forgiveness. And through this forgiveness, I see God’s grace, mercy, patience, and kindness.

THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS: God not only forgives me but gives me His forgiveness, so I can give it to others. I want to be filled with grace, mercy, patience, and kindness. But I can only truly do it if I first accept His forgiveness and forgive others. God, in His mercy, helped the Israelites and continues to help His people today:

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

You are God, ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abundant in kindness, and did not forsake them. More of God’s blessings come through His attributes and character. Forgiveness is in His nature. He’s waiting for me to seek Him today.

Lord, I have a judgmental heart which finds it hard to forgive. Please help me understand how You have forgiven me, so I can also forgive others. Please bless me as I seek You for forgiveness and help me to understand Your blessings. Amen.

May you be blessed,

Chaplain Wayne Ruckman