In view of all this...

Today's Reading: Nehemiah 9

When we left off with the Israelites yesterday, they had heard the reading of God's law and had celebrated the Feast of the Tabernacles. Chapter 9 opens up in the same month but about two weeks later. This time, they gather together for another reading standing "where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the Lord their God."

They spent an entire quarter of the day in confession. Not that all of us couldn't do the same, but that is a long time! But as I read over their confession and thought about all that is recorded, I was struck by several points.

First, confession recognizes who God is. The Israelites praise God for who He is and all that He has done (verse 5b-6). God alone is worthy of our praise and recognition of this is a good place to start our confession.

Confession also remembers God's mighty works. Nineteen verses in this chapter extol the wonders of God's ability. He pursued the people, provided for them, sustained them, instructed them, clothed them, made them as numerous as the stars, and made them victorious over their enemies. God kept His promises to them.

Confession then leads to repentance. All of God's children have been stiff-necked and rebellious at times, the Jews themselves were famous for it. But God is never through waiting for us to repent and return to Him.

And finally, confession helps us realize our current state. In verses 36-37, the Israelites realize they have been living in the promised land but have still been enslaved. And God wants so much more for us than that!

The Israelites have come to a place of decision and say in verse 38, "In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it." They were deciding to turn back to God and stand in agreement with Him. And we can do the same thing.

Where is God calling you to confession today? Do you allow the remembrance of His works for you lead you to repentance? Then realizing your current state, and in view of all this...all of God's promises, all of His provisions, all of His care for you...are you willing to stand in agreement with Him?

- Holly Barrett