Our Nation Confessed Our Sin
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Nehemiah 9:1-37, 2 Corinthians 1:20-22
BY Kaitlin Wernet
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).
39 thoughts on "Our Nation Confessed Our Sin"
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Anyone know how to highlight and copy in the iOS app?
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I would love to know the same thing! I miss that feature the most in the new app!
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I just tried to do the same thing! the only option I could find was to go to the scripture directly through the links and copy/ highlight there. Hope that helps!
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I would also like to know! :)
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Thanks everyone! I’ve contacted SRT directly. If the app isn’t going to have basic features I’m not going to pay for it. I can easily use the website. I’ll post once I have an update.
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Thank you Lord for your perfect love. ❤️❤️❤️
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I thought it a sign from God that this was the reading for today. Last night (the 24th of this month) I got down on my face and knees and confessed my sins before God.
Our Father is amazing in how He shows us He is here and listening. I’m reminded here that my lack and failure are not unique. Even the Israelites kept running away and running back. God shows me here I am no different than them and I am just as loved and forgiven as they are.
Thank You, Lord!-
Amen! I am so grateful that He is there again, when I sin again and again. What a patient and merciful God!
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Thought this chapter of Nehemiah was so beautiful. Relevant and informative, I love how Nehemiah summarized the entirety of Israel’s endeavors to survive in this sinful world prior to Christ– constantly feeling torn between Truth and sin. This is so true of us now! I praise God we can come before Him through Christ so readily and His hands are already open to us. In my constant battles between Truth and sin, I find God’s consistency with the Israelites more than comforting and strengthening as I seek to know God more, freed from shame through the cross.
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Amen! Isn’t it beautiful how patient He is and how we can look back and see his beautiful faithfulness! Thank you for this comment it spoke to me so much!
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Thank You Father! You are a Great, Mighty, Fearsome God, Who keeps BOTH covenant and grace! Balm to my soul today.
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I often act like the Israelites. So glad God is forgiving and keeps His promises. What a good, good Father he is.
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What a faithful god
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I cried my way through most of this chapter of Nehemiah as I saw myself so clearly as the rebellious sinner that I am. Making amends and then circling back to the same disobedience until crisis and then crying out, repent, forgiven, repeat! What a blessing to know that God is a “forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love, and you did not abandon them.” (Nehemiah 9:17) He did not abandon me either! I need to stop the cycle and push the “hold button” at forgiven, and never repeat my sinful pattern of behavior. Keeping a check daily and laying it at His feet each and every morning is key and letting the enemy know that this is a fight I plan to win, in Jesus Name. This was an amazing reading this morning and great way to start off my Friday and weekend! Thank you, SRT community. Have a blessed weekend and Memorial Day Holiday. Stay safe everyone!
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Susan, thank you so much for posting this – today’s passage reminded me of God’s wonderful kindness and goodness, and your comment reminded me that my sins are nothing new under the sun. What *IS* new – and new every morning – is the grace and forgiveness Go offers to His children. Just like you, I need to stop and stay at FORGIVEN and lay my sins at His feet every day.
Thanks for the encouragement!
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