ScriptureNehemiah 9:31-33 31 But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God. 32 “Now therefore, our God, the great God, mighty and awesome, who keeps his covenant of love, do not let all this hardship seem trifling in your eyes—the hardship that has come on us, on our kings and leaders, on our priests and prophets, on our ancestors and all your people, from the days of the kings of Assyria until today. 33 In all that has happened to us, you have remained righteous; you have acted faithfully, while we acted wickedly. ObservationIsrael is currently a province of the Empire of Persia, living under heavy Persian taxes and obligations and they desire to be freed from this oppression.They come before the Lord in repentance and fasting. They take time to give praise and thanks, confess their sins – acknowledging that they are where they are due to their failure to submit (or stay submitted) to God – and they conclude this chapter with resolving to a life of new obedience.
UnderstandingGod is unchanging.As they recount their history, it is notable that, in each of the Israelites cycles, the motions get deeper and deeper – as if they fall a little further with each one…but God remains the same throughout. Each time they find themselves at the bottom of this cycle, in slavery, they cry out to God and return to Him; and EVERY. SINGLE. TIME, He hears them, has compassion on them and returns them to freedom from their oppressors. He remains gracious and merciful, righteous and faithful.
God desires relationship built on trust and obedience.
God desires relationship with us, His children; but He also desires/requires obedience. You’ll note, though, it’s not obedience for the pure sake of obedience…obedience to God comes with the trust and understanding that He desires what’s best for us. As we see here, each time the Israelites turned away, they found themselves living in slavery and oppression (not God’s best); and when they repented and returned to God, they find themselves provided for, cared for, overflowing with blessings.
God never turns away the repentant heart.As many times as the Israelites turned away, when they returned with truly repentant hearts, God would restore them. His forgiving heart and willingness to redeem as a result of repentance is seen throughout the Bible (78 times in the NIV!). Though we sometimes come to a place where we feel God must be so tired of us asking forgiveness over and over for the same thing, He never grows weary of us and never turns away the repentant heart. Life ApplicationGod, you are so good. Help me to trust and obey – remembering that you love me, see the big picture and want what is best for me. And, when I fail, God, thank you for being willing to forgive me. Help me to always return to you quickly, to maintain a humble and repentant heart and to turn away from the things that draw me away from you. God, show me the areas of my heart, the areas of my life that are not yet fully submitted to you; may I lay them down today and come running into my Father’s arms. I love you, thank you and praise you for all that you are!In your name we pray, Amen.To check out the discussion or to join in click here.- Rei
