And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love Him and observe His commandments: Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of Thy servant, which I pray before Thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel Thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned. We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses. (Neh 1:4-7)
As we continue our journey through the history of Israel as they returned to the land which God gave them following their captivity in Babylon, we come to the record of Nehemiah. This record is often tied closely with Ezra because it covers many of the same events and a similar time frame in Israel’s history.
Nehemiah, when he hears how things are going in Jerusalem, weeps and cries out to God. He understands the failure of the people is mostly because of sin before God. The people are once again turning to their sinful ways and failed to keep the Law and the commandments and Nehemiah is praying for his people. Though he will later stir the people to repentance, here he is repenting of their sin on behalf of his nation, that God might hear and forgive.
While we are not held accountable for individual sins by others, as a group we can beseech God on behalf of the failures and errors of our church, our community, and our country. The promises of national restoration are only meant for Israel, but the principle of God’s blessing and forgiveness on those who acknowledge their sin and repent applies to all people. God does not promise any national promises to any other nation than His people Israel, so we should not apply them otherwise, but personal repentance and acknowledgement can lead to restoration as a community sees their sin as Israel did.
Ultimately, the church must preach the Gospel because only the blood of Jesus Christ and His Spirit that indwells those who believe can change people from the sinners they are to the saints that God wants them to be. Saints as they grow in Christ and make disciple-makers can change a community for the better and to honor God in all that they do. This is the outflow of revival, as God’s people are revived to the work which God has for them to do and go out from the four walls of their campus and influence their communities with the Word of God.
Because the Gospel is the only answer to our sin problem, God calls His people to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as GOD provides, with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that others may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
Nehemiah, when he hears how things are going in Jerusalem, weeps and cries out to God. He understands the failure of the people is mostly because of sin before God. The people are once again turning to their sinful ways and failed to keep the Law and the commandments and Nehemiah is praying for his people. Though he will later stir the people to repentance, here he is repenting of their sin on behalf of his nation, that God might hear and forgive.
While we are not held accountable for individual sins by others, as a group we can beseech God on behalf of the failures and errors of our church, our community, and our country. The promises of national restoration are only meant for Israel, but the principle of God’s blessing and forgiveness on those who acknowledge their sin and repent applies to all people. God does not promise any national promises to any other nation than His people Israel, so we should not apply them otherwise, but personal repentance and acknowledgement can lead to restoration as a community sees their sin as Israel did.
Ultimately, the church must preach the Gospel because only the blood of Jesus Christ and His Spirit that indwells those who believe can change people from the sinners they are to the saints that God wants them to be. Saints as they grow in Christ and make disciple-makers can change a community for the better and to honor God in all that they do. This is the outflow of revival, as God’s people are revived to the work which God has for them to do and go out from the four walls of their campus and influence their communities with the Word of God.
Because the Gospel is the only answer to our sin problem, God calls His people to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as GOD provides, with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that others may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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