August 31, 2022 -- Nehemiah 9:16-21 -- The power of God revealed in confession

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

“But they and our fathers acted presumptuously and stiffened their neck and did not obey your commandments. 17 They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them, but they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt.[c] But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them. 18 Even when they had made for themselves a golden calf and said, ‘This is your God who brought you up out of Egypt,’ and had committed great blasphemies, 19 you in your great mercies did not forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud to lead them in the way did not depart from them by day, nor the pillar of fire by night to light for them the way by which they should go. 20 You gave your good Spirit to instruct them and did not withhold your manna from their mouth and gave them water for their thirst. 21 Forty years you sustained them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell.
Nehemiah 9:16-21 ESV

What a prayer of confession this is! Nehemiah had already led the people in a long time of confession; then for a quarter of the day the whole assembled people listened as the Book of the Law was read. Then for another quarter of the day the people confessed their sins and worshiped God—and then Nehemiah led this large assembly in this public prayer of confession.

The hymn “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” captures the waywardness of the human heart. Though we have been captured by the great love of God, we absolutely need His good Spirit to instruct us and the restrain us. It is a great relief that my sins are not stronger than my Father’s intention to deliver me from all my sins having reconciled me to Himself by the blood of Jesus His Son and sealing His saving work in me by the powerful presence of His good Spirit.

Somewhere along the way it seems to be that the organized church has lost its way with regards to the open, honest confession of sin. Meeting men in prison, hearing confessions and the open admissions they make stating they are afraid their sin and their wretchedness is beyond the grip of God’s gracious work—all these work together to remind me of God’s redeeming work through history—in the Old Testament and in the New. His people are bound in sin and without hope except this: God has determined to bring to Himself the full-number of those He’d chosen before the foundation of the world.

Hallelujah! What a Savior. He works in the hearts of individuals to bring them from death to life; from the dominion of Satan to the Kingdom of Light, the Kingdom of the Son He loves. Our gracious Father has appointed Jesus Head over the Church and the assembly of God's people, imperfect as it is, professes her confidence in the Savior's redeeming work. Our sins, individually, collectively and as an organization--all of these are to be confessed so that God will purify the Bride of Christ. Hallelujah! What a Savior. 

Father in heaven, blessed be Your glorious Name! How rich is Your mercy and steadfast is Your loving-kindness toward Your people. Help us to look to You when we confess our sins--not to worry about what others think, or what earthly consequences might follow, instead, with the eyes of faith fixed on You, may we unburden ourselves and trust in Your covenant promises--that You do take us, slaves to sin who are incapable of saving ourselves, and make us to be a kingdom, priests to serve You, our God and King. Bind our wandering hearts to You. Amen.

https://youtu.be/UiJiDphZvbs

Copyright © 2022 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.