Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 9:1-37, Hebrews 13:15
I have a confession: Last year, my husband and I enjoyed watching a romantic reality TV show together on the same night every week. We had fun laughing together (and, yes, sometimes crying) at the characters and their questionable dating choices. This was very different from watching the show alone on my laptop. It was a shared experience that was even more emotionally moving and gave us something to look forward to each week.
In the Christian faith, we have lots of community activities, but we don’t always confess our sins as a group. The focus tends to be on individual sins and a personal relationship with Jesus. Many of us don’t experience the joy and freedom that a corporate confession can bring, like the Israelites did in today’s passage. We might feel these on some level during personal times of prayer. But there’s something powerful about repenting in a room where you may be sitting very close to a person you don’t like or have conflict with. God’s love breaks our hearts in places where we desperately need it.
In Nehemiah 9:2, the author wrote: “Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all foreigners, and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their ancestors.” Here, we see God’s people set themselves apart before bringing not just their present-day sins as a nation but the sins of those who came before them. When was the last time any of us did this?
The Israelites would often offer a sacrifice to atone for their sins. In the Christian faith, we talk about a sacrifice of praise instead. We confess our sins to the Savior who has already atoned for us. After the nation of Israel repented for turning away from the law, the Levite priests led them into a renewal of the covenant (vv.5–37).
Corporate confession isn’t lost on us today. We often bring our sins to God in church services. In some churches, pastors lead the congregation through a reading that prompts everyone to confess their sins together. One reading goes like this: “Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone…” Doing this together, though, is not separate from what God is looking for most: each individual’s heart being transformed by His love.
Whether in watching TV to the confession of sin, when we’re participating with others, we’re reminded that we’re not alone. Confession as believers is a beautiful thing because it puts us in our rightful place, and it brings God praise. “Therefore,” says Hebrews, “through him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name” (Hebrews 13:15).
Written by Bailey Gillespie
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29 thoughts on "National Confession of Sin"
Bailey says some churches do a reading similar to what she shared, but none that I have attended. What caught my attention was confessing sin about not only what we’ve done, but also by what we have left undone ….
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Reminded of James 4:17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
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Remembering God’s blessings, protections and supernatural provision in worship, remembering our sins in confession (ours and others in community)
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Nehemiah 9:18 That calf gets me every time – that its creation was even an idea, much less carried out. Peer pressure and mob thinking.
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Songs coming to mind –
Blessed Be Your Name (Matt Redman, written by Beth Redman, Matt Redman, 2002)
Blessed Be the Name (written by William H Clark, 1800’s)
God Will Make a Way (written by Don Moen)
You Are God Alone (written by William McDowell)
We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise (Kirk Dearman, 1984)
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KIRA H -praying for the anesthesia effects to clear up and that healing would go well, and that your grandfather-in-law’s patience will be multiplied
MERCY ❤️ thank you for “The more we know Him, the more we love Him. And the more we love Him, the less room there is for rebellion.”
CEE GEE ❤️ Thank you for notes shared! And did I detect some dancing from your corner when you mentioned that Sister Act song?? :)
TANYA ❤️ amen, praying that they will see that Jesus paid it all (Elvina M Hall, 1865), and all to Him we owe.
INDIANA ELAINE ❤️❤️ what a beautiful tribute! My tears are flowing after reading about your precious brother and family history.
WENDY B ❤️ praying for wisdom as you seek God’s guidance in your decisions
SUSAN BURLEY – praying for just the right job ❤️
So many thoughts about this…when I consider the state of brokenness we see around us I want to cry out to God to confess how we His church have failed to step up and care for the least of these. To ask for forgiveness for wanting to stay in the comfortable world I’ve built around myself with the blessings He has given me and resist being burdened by closing my eyes to the lost and hurting around me.
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How could this world, country, city, neighborhood be different if each one of God’s people could reach out to just one in His name?
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Pointing my finger to myself here. Change has to start in my heart and let God handle the rest…
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SHARON and TINA ❤️❤️❤️
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MOLLIE – praying for your peace and healing.
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SUSAN BURLEY – hope the interview went well.
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WENDY B – praying the Lord gives you clear direction for next steps.
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Leaving y’all with a bit of the song “Homecoming”
Lord, I confess that I’ve been a criminal
I’ve stolen Your breath and sang my own song
And Lord, I confess that I’m far from innocent
These shackles I wear I bought on my own
The scarlet sins had a crimson cost
You nailed my debt to that old rugged cross
An empty slate at the empty grave
Thank God that stone was rolled away
Lord, I confess I’ve been the prodigal
Made for Your house but walked my own roads
Then Jesus came, He tore down my prison walls
Death came to life when He called me by name
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And I can see it now
Smiling in Heaven, You and I, You and I
And I see bright crimson robes draped over the ashes
A wide open tomb where there should be a casket
The children are singing and dancing and laughing
The Father is welcoming
This is our homecoming
Roses in bloom pushed up from the embers
Rivers of tears flow from good times remembered
Families are singing and dancing and laughing
The Father is welcoming
This is our homecoming
Heaven joins in with a glorious sound
And the great cloud of witnesses all gather ’round
‘Cause the ones that were lost are finally found
The Father is welcoming
This is our homecoming
❤️ Thank you for sharing these lyrics – I had not heard this song before.
Amen!! It makes me think of the verse
2 Chronicles 7:14 “ if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
God is faithful to hear and to heal!
I’m stuck on Tina and Sharon meeting! Wow wow wow! What a beautiful sisterhood! Now I’m wondering where you all are and if anyone is close to me. Long Island, NY??? I’ve read all your comments from yesterday. Such insights and blessings!
Indiana E- what a tribute!
Wendy B – praying
Mercy – again thanks for insights!
Tanya – would love to know more of your story! Maybe consider sharing it on our FB page:)
Sharon and Tina!!!!
And others I am missing but I am going from the top of my head. Be blessed today ladies!
Amen❤️
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From HRT, written by Matt Capps:
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“God’s Word reminds me of who I am—a sinner unable to perfectly live in faithfulness to God’s Word. However, Scripture also reminds me of who God is, namely, a Holy God who is perfectly faithful to His Word but also gracious to those who repent of their unfaithfulness.”
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“Isn’t it amazing that when we repent of unfaithfulness, God stands ready to forgive? Isn’t it good to remember that God is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love? (v.31). Isn’t it comforting to remember that even when we, as God’s people, are faithless, our God will not forsake us?”
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Happy Friday sisters! ❤️
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Thank you for sharing from HRT! ❤️
this: “Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone…”
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I have to be honest here.. the words above have always given me heebies, they have often been on the monitor to read out as a community or in the service sheet. I have read them, but have never taken them in, not really..
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Until today!
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I see them for what they are, absolutely, a communal confession of sins, an accountability of wrongs done, and a confession of sins for each other in a way, and a Hope for a forgiveness of sins communally and individually..
There is power in that, for sure!
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I have mostly confessed my sins in the private of my space, some sins are not to be spoken out aloud, let alone in public!
But these words, as i recall them have and hold new meaning for me. i will be the one on my knees this Sunday in confession, not just for me but for the sins of the person next to me, my fellow man, and for my people that have gone ahead!
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Forgive me LORD that i did not understand before the connectivity of us all confessing, but i see now, as my eyes and heart have been opened.
Thank you , LORD, that each day i learn more and each day in the learning i grow closer to you.
LORD, in your mercy, I prayer it is so, in JESUS’S name i pray..
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BUT GOD..
Amen..
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Happy Friday my dears! Prayerful your Friday and weekend are covered in as much GOLDEN JOY as the Father blessed me with yesterday as I hugged our very own Sharon Jersey girl for real! God is good!
Still smiling!
Much love to all..❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
What a wonderful blessing, Tina and Sharon ❤️❤️
Teary just thinking what that moment must have felt like for y’all.
I saw the pictures on FB! It made me smile too ❤️❤️❤️
Good morning my sweet She’s! We are off for the last leg of our journey & then fly home on Sunday. Thank you so much for your prayers for safe travels!
I’ve been getting to the study much later in the day since we we are away, so I will be back later to read & go through the comments.
I just wanted to say the highlight of our trip was meeting our LOVELY TINA!! She is just as dear & beautiful in person as she is at our study. It was a joy, a privilege & a blessing to meet in person our dear sister in Christ. I hope that you all will get to meet her too – if not this side of heaven, surely on the other!
Have a blessed day!! ❤️❤️❤️
Sharon, (smiling imoji)anyone would think we synchronised our comments!
My comment comes after yours.
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Our visit, A true blessing that I shall carry with me..❤️
Ok, so now I am crying after reading Sharon’s sweet words ❣️
Golden Joy tears. I can imagine ❤️
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So happy for both of you!
Praying for safe travels!
Thanks for hugging TINA for all of us
Some things never change…we have been disobedient and rebellious, flinging the Lord’s law behind us. Killing His prophets and committing terrible blasphemies!
Merciful Heavenly Father – Your astounding compassion and patience are our only hope. Forgive our transgressions and heal our land! Amen.
Ahh, dear Adrienne, holding your mum and yourself up to our Father God in prayer. For healing for your momma, and sleep to come in the form of the Fathers loving arms around you, soothing and safe, fear-less and grace-filled..
Bless you, my dear, bless you..♥️
What struck me from today’s reading was how the Israelites’ day was portioned off to spending a quarter of the day reading and understanding the law, and another quarter in confession and in worship to the Lord our God. I was recently with a group of believers where our day was filled with speaking, praying, and reading God’s word, and it was wonderful.
Corporate confession is so powerful because it makes us realise that we are part of a broader community of sinners, but sinners who have been wonderfully forgiven by God through Jesus.
For me right now, I’m trying to think how I can best continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise today in the way that I behave and the things I prioritise at work and at home, but also in what I say. I would love an opportunity to speak about my faith to a colleague today, and there is one in particular whom I believe is searching for the light, even if he doesn’t fully realise it yet. Please pray for him!
Such a blessing to be part of this community- I don’t always comment but will often come back later in the day (I’m in England, so I might read this earlier than some of you because of time zones) and am so encouraged by your insights and wisdom, so thank you.
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That struck me too Mary. That would’ve been 12 hours daily!! Like someone else said, I am happy if I get 15 minutes, thrilled for longer weekend time. This has me thinking about how I can more of God’s word in during my day.
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The reading from Nehemiah is the OT in a nutshell, isn’t it? I often wonder how His people can be so dense, when He has provided for them so richly time and time again.
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But aren’t I like that too? (Wait… don’t answer THAT… Heeheehee!)
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Thank you for the prayers for my mom… Things are better every day. She still isn’t “out of the woods” yet, so thank you, in advance, for your continued prayers, sweet sisters.
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So… I can’t sleep again! It is SO maddening.
Praying for your mom and for your sleep quality. It is hard when you cannot get a good rest.
Joining you in prayer for Adrienne and her mom
Ahh, dear Adrienne, holding your mum and yourself up to our Father God in prayer. For healing for your momma, and sleep to come in the form of the Fathers loving arms around you, soothing and safe, fear-less and grace-filled..
Bless you, my dear, bless you..♥️