Nehemiah 9-10 You Have Been Loyal, But We Have Been Wicked

The people hadn’t heard the Scriptures in years – perhaps in centuries.  They’d gotten that far away from God.   So when the Book Of The Teachings was brought out and began to be read, the effect on the people was amazing. 

“As he opened the book, the people stood up …. Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground … The people had been crying as they listened to the words of the Teachings …”

Though this repentant attitude was good, Nehemiah told them that this was a feast CELEBRATING what God had done, and it was to be a time of great joy.  And they began to celebrate because “they finally understood what they had been taught.”

The people came to realize something important, and Ezra prayed about it:  “This trouble has come to us, to our kings and our leaders, to our priests and prophets, to our ancestors and all Your people from the days of the kings of Assyria until today.  You have been fair in everything that has happened to us.  You have been loyal, but we have been wicked.”

They’d stopped trying to blame their troubles on God and finally placed the blame squarely on their own disobedience and on their national sin.  Only then could God truly start to work on them.

Father, my sin and disobedience separates me from You as well.  I ask that You keep me mindful of my sin, yet don’t let me drown in sadness.  Remind me of how You’ve already removed it, as far as the east is from the west.  Through my obedience, help me too to experience the joy of Your salvation.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford