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Neh. 9:17-36
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can also download our service at Baptist-Christian at iTunes. Nehemiah is leading the Israelites in spiritual revival to turn their hearts back to the God Who created them! Turning from sin to God is harder than turning from God to sin! Repentance acts against our pride causing us to put off sanctification while testing God’s patience with us. We dare not continue to that testing lest we force God’s hand to discipline us for our sins. Let’s continue to learn what turning back involves:
- WE MUST ACKNOWLEDGE OUR OWN SIN! Read verses 16, 17a. Here is where repentance gets sticky. We don’t mind helping others acknowledge their sin, but when it comes to declaring our own sin, we often balk, don’t we! 2 Cor. 10:12 and 2 Tim. 4:3, 4 tell us why that is. Christians often say “I’m not as bad as…” We must come to the point we understand we are as bad as… But not as Good as Christ! With such an attitude revival is impossible whether individually, corporately, or nationally. In Ps. 32:1-7 we learn confession really is good for the soul. Even in our sinfulness, God is faithful/loyal to us/not forsaking us, yet all the while reaching out to us in His infinite love. Why? Because He wants us to repent by confessing our sins so He can forgive our guilt.
- WE MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THAT GOD IS OUR LOYAL PROVIDER. Read VERSES 19-25. It is God Who guides us day and night. Remember, sin pushes but God leads. He never goes so far ahead of us we can’t reach Him, and He always makes His presence known. Just like God knew where Canaan was and knew how to lead Israel there, He knows where He wants you to be and will lead you there if you let Him. God can’t abandon us! Isn’t that a wonderful truth! If we are lacking in life, it is because we are refusing what God is offering, but never because He fails to offer! You must accept what God offers and provides if you expect Him to lead and bless you. Why? Because God only gives us what is the very best for us. To Whom do you look for your daily provision?
- WE MUST ACKNOWLEDGE GOD AS OUR RIGHTEOUS JUDGE! Read verses 26-31. You will notice that when Israel rejected God, He punished them. That concept doesn’t set well with our current don’t-offend-anyone theology! God however, has an entirely different system. He wants us to understand that sin, disobedience, rebellion, and all those other unpleasant words are all egregious offenses to Him. Every sin has a consequence and we must understand we will pay that consequence- always! God administers His punishment with the very specific purpose of restoring us to fellowship with Him, usually at a higher level. Finally,
- WE MUST ACKNOWLEDGE GOD’S JUSTICE AS BENEFICIAL! Read verses 32-38. Here Nehemiah appeals to God’s mercy. God doesn’t get His kicks out of making people suffer—we bring it on ourselves because of our stubborn hearts. All God’s judgments are designed to show us our error, to point us to the right path, to keep us from going astray, and to restore us to the place where God can shower us with blessings. Are you ready to acknowledge God in these areas of your life?
If we can help you call us at (574) 643-9419.
