Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 9:1-37, 2 Corinthians 1:20-22
The last thing you want after a long week away is a bad ride home from the airport. But that’s where I found myself last week, hailing an Uber ride from the arrivals entrance. A frequent traveler, I typically enjoy these modern-day “cabs.” The driver who came to pick me up late that night was kind and hospitable, hoisting my luggage into the trunk and respecting my lack of desire to make small talk. Like I said, it had been a long week, and I was grateful for the relative quiet.
My ride home from the airport should have been simple—one I could probably drive with my eyes closed. That’s why I noticed the two U-turns, the missed stop sign, the turnaround in a grocery store parking lot, and the driver who became increasingly silent. Maybe I should have spoken up sooner, but when I finally asked, “Where are we?” it was because I already knew the answer: we were lost. Very, very lost. The driver had missed the intended destination entirely.
The word “sin” comes from the idea of failure, “the act or state of missing the mark.” I confess that every time I sin, I am acting out of my humanity and turning my heart away from my Father. I turn away from the intended place He has created for me: living in His presence and in relationship with Him. In day-to-day life sin can become much more than just my actions; it can begin to feel more like my permanent residence.
Like the embarrassed apology my driver made when we finally made it home, returning to the reality of my sin always makes me feel ashamed. But in Nehemiah 9, we have an opportunity to reframe this together, watching as the children of Israel gather together to confess their sin. However, instead of being driven by guilt, they are empowered by celebration. Just days after the feast of the tabernacles, one of the most joyful parties they’d ever had, they paused to realign their hearts with God’s—not because they were hurt or afraid, but because they were thankful.
It is a grace that God “[acts] faithfully, while we have acted wickedly” (Nehemiah 9:33). It is a gift that He keeps covenants, even when we do not. At the intersection of our lack and His goodness, may we return to Him, remembering and cherishing what it is to be considered His. All promises are “yes” in the Savior who calls His wandering children home, again and again (2 Corinthians 1:20).
Leave a Reply
39 thoughts on "Our Nation Confessed Our Sin"
What a testament to the faithfulness of our God and to the depth of our sin! It makes me so grateful for grace, repentance, the torn veil, and Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.
Forever grateful that God is a forgiving God, that He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, loves us with a faithful love and never abandons us!
Perennial flowers are a hobby and delight. This spring has been much more difficult concerning weeds and garden upkeep. You see, due to a crisis, I was not around to work in my gardens in October or November. Due to additional responsibilities and appointments, the weeds seem to be taking over. Typically, my husband would be helping me with the spring weeding, and we would have things well in hand by this time. Weeds. Sometimes they seem pretty. Often, the foliage mimics familiar plants. Other times it seems weeds have the best root system and getting the entire root is near impossible. Sin is so much like weeds. Our sin needs to be dealt with on a daily basis. Sometimes our sin is attractive to us, and we would rather hold onto it. Sin can try to mimic what is right. For instance, saying I am concerned about another person when I just want the latest update and gossip. Sin can be painful to root out and pops back up often. Thanks to Jesus for taking my punishment! Thanks to Jesus for paying the full price! Thanks to Jesus I am beautiful, clean, and righteous!
Well said Kelly. Thank you. ❤️
God is so good. Like our second verse says, all God’s promises are Yes in Jesus. I’ve been thinking about the Holy Spirit and how God lives I us through the Spirit. The verse says the Spirit is our Guarentee. The Holy Spirit is often overlooked, but He is God too. Jesus told His disciples that it was better for Him to go and He would send a Helper. They were probably tbinking, what is better than having Jesus. His promise was for them and us. Of course, we know Jesus had to go and complete the salvation plan for us. But He didn’t leave them alone and He doesn’t leave us alone. God actually lives in us and the Spirit comforts, leads, convicts, and empowers us. I want all God has for me. I’ve been learning more about the Spirit, but was thinking that getting a Concordance and looking up the verses may be good. I know there are resources out there too. I’m grateful that God is long suffering and that He didn’t leave us alone!
Frances Chan has a great book and study guide about the Holy Spirit called “The Forgotten God.” I highly recommended.
This reading was challenging today. For me, the line saying they spent a quarter of the day reading God’s word and a quarter worshipping made me feel…guilty? As if I’m putting priority in other things. My worth is NOT in this world, but in His world.
I understand how you felt. Thinking about my priorities and time spent in God’s Word, as well.
God is always with us even through all our sins,he still forgives and loves us!!!
It’s amazing! Thank You, Heavenly Father!
In the long history of Israel, they encountered many gods and even worshiped a few. Some Israelites stayed faithful to the one true God but many succumbed to the culture in which they found themselves. They forgot their God with the big G and fell for lesser ones, the ones with the small g. Look what Nehemiah does in today’s passage though – he speaks directly to God about God so that all the people hear and know Who had been and is leading their lives. Nehemiah says ” You”. You, God did this even while we did this. You, God were behind it all and before it all and in the midst of it all. You. And we forgot. We didn’t see. We didn’t remember. We forgot You. The people are so sorry. God is so faithful. We are so sorry. You are so faithful. I’m so sorry. You are my God. Now and forever Amen.
Amen
I also made note of all the “You” statements. They’re powerful. They show God’s faithful, merciful, and perfect character.
This is amazing. Brings it all into sharp focus for me. Thank you for this….
Amen. Thanks for this.
Exactly! Thank you for sharing.
I loved this reading today. Finding myself feeling like the Israelites these days. Face to face with my wickedness and grateful for his faithfulness.
Amen.