Nehemiah 9.5-21
Following the rebuilding of the wall after the Israelites had been captive in Babylon, the Law of the LORD was read by Ezra to all the people. Upon hearing God’s Word, the people of Israel were convicted of sin; they were convicted of their rebellion against God, and that of their forefathers. Led by a group of faithful Levites, the people made confession and worshiped the LORD their God (Nehemiah 9.3). In this, they clearly acknowledged the Lord’s character and His desire for His people. But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them (Nehemiah 9.17). The people knew that regardless of their past, when they humbled themselves and sought His forgiveness, they would not be forsaken. God has not changed; He is the same today.
Regardless of sin committed, the severity of rebellion, the cruelty of the heart, God is willing to forgive us of all sin. In love, the Father sent His Son as a sacrifice to redeem us from the curse and judgment incurred because of our sin; He came to free us from the bondage of sin. Through Christ, the Lord is ready to forgive, to restore us to fellowship with Himself. The Lord is gracious and merciful. He is ever ready to demonstrate to us the depth of His lovingkindness and give us the very opposite of what we deserve. Instead of deserved separation, judgment, and death, our Lord gives us life in Christ, fellowship with Himself, deliverance from all penalty of sin, and indwells us by His Holy Spirit. The Lord is slow to anger. He sees us in our sinfulness, knows our weakness, and patiently draws us to Himself. The Lord abounds in steadfast love. He never fails in providing for all our needs and fulfilling all His promises. The Lord will not forsake us. Having adopted us into His family, He will keep us through eternity. Our responsibility: to confess, repent, and forsake all sin, to choose to faithfully live in obedience, and to humbly worship our Lord.
Knowing His restorative love – we have much to be thankful for –
Terry
My Morning Desk 