Nehemiah
chapter 9 reminds me of the two things that happen when we continue
to study God’s Word. First we are humbled by the greatness of God
and then we are reminded of the stubbornness of man. I have 5 older
siblings. As a result, I was able to learn from observing them. I
saw examples of good and bad decisions and that gave me an advantage
that some of my friends did not have. I have concluded the wisdom of
God is infinitely more valuable. The chapter really gives us a
summary of the Bible. It begins with the History, then recounts the
endless Mercy of God and concludes with a new covenant. As the
chapter begins, it is clear they have been reading scripture with
great sincerity. “The
Israelites gathered together, fasting… They stood in their places
and confessed their sins and the wickedness of their fathers… read
from the Book of the Law of the Lord… confession and in worshiping…
God“.
They
come to a very cool conclusion about God. “Praise
the Lord your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting… Blessed
be your glorious name… You alone are the Lord. You made the
heavens… the earth and all that is on it… You give life to
everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you“.
If you can’t identify with this, read on.
First
they professed God’s faithfulness. “You
chose Abram and brought him … You found his heart faithful to you,
and You made a covenant with him to give to his descendants the land
… You have kept Your promise because You are righteous“.
They recalled examples of God’s Mercy. “You
saw the suffering… you heard their cry… You sent miraculous signs
and wonders… By day you led them with a pillar of cloud, and by
night with a pillar of fire to give them light on the way… You gave
them regulations and laws that are just and right… You made known
to them your holy Sabbath and gave them commands, decrees and laws
through your servant Moses. In their hunger you gave them bread from
heaven and in their thirst you brought them water from the rock“.
But God also gave us a free will. Some of us recognize the next
description. “They
refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed
among them. They became stiff-necked… But you are a forgiving God,
gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.”
God is patient. “You
brought them into the land that you told their fathers to enter and
possess“.
If you don’t see yourself yet, there is another group discussed.
As
we read God’s Word we see the cycle of man’s rebellion. “They
were disobedient and rebelled against You; they put Your law behind
their backs…they committed awful blasphemies… But when they were
oppressed they cried out to You. From heaven You heard them, and in
Your great compassion You… rescued them from the hand of their
enemies“.
Does this sound familiar? “But
as soon as they were at rest, they again did what was evil in Your
sight… they became arrogant and disobeyed Your commands. They
sinned… and refused to listen“.
If
you are here, please understand that God has not given up on you, but
do not mistake God’s patience for acceptance! “For
many years you were patient with them. By Your Spirit you admonished
them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention“.
“But
in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them,
for you are a gracious and merciful God“.
The chapter ends with the People of Israel calling out to God, “We
are in great distress“.
And in their time of need they desired a new binding agreement in
writing.
Jesus made a new deal. He willingly laid down His life to pay for
the debt of our sin. Perhaps this verse speaks to you? “I
did not come to call the
righteous, but sinners, to repentance”
(Mark 2:17). Will you hear His call?