SUMMARY: Confession
OVERVIEW: Israel gathers to hear from the Book of the Law and then collectively repents and confesses their sins. They praise God for his forgiveness and his faithfulness through the ages.
BIG IDEA: God is gracious and faithful, even when we are wicked and faithless.
KEY VERSE: Nehemiah 9:3 (Nehemiah reports)
They remained standing in place for three hours while the Book of the Law of the Lord their God was read aloud to them. Then for three more hours they confessed their sins and worshiped the Lord their God.
IF GOD WROTE YOU A LETTER
Review my faithfulness through the ages. Read it and talk about it, and may it motivate you to praise me and confess any unfaithfulness in your life. Don’t consider the past haphazardly. Recognize my patience in how I responded to Israel. Identify my mercy. Talk about my grace. When Israel was faithless, I remained faithful. I showed them great mercy and kept my covenant of love. I have been a promise-keeper to Israel, and I will be the same to you.
Don’t just marvel at what I have done through the ages. Look at what I’ve done in your own life. Circle dates on the calendar where I showed up in significant ways. Laugh and celebrate with stories of how I provided. Reflect on ways I had prompted or nudged you into action when you initially resisted me. Share with others how I have provided for your needs in challenging and trying times, just as I did for Israel in the wilderness.
NEXT STEP
Read God’s word with an open heart and mind today. Be ready to respond in the way God leads you.
LYRIC VIDEO