April 23, 2020

BIBLE READING: Nehemiah 9

“Behold, we are servants this day, and for the land that thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof, behold, we are servants in it: And it yieldeth much increase unto the kings whom thou hast set over us because of our sins: also they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress. And because of all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal unto it.”
‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭9:36-38‬ ‭KJV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

I remember as a teenager getting in trouble for absentmindedly doing something a few times. Obviously after being punished, my Dad would look at me and say, “All is forgiven, but be sure to remember for next time so you can learn from your mistake.” That’s a very simple principle, but so true. We know wisdom is applying truth that has been told, but we know we can learn from our mistakes as well. Here Israel is being reminded of the history of God’s chosen people. How they have been blessed and how their people had failed to learn. Here are a people who are coming back from a 70 year punishment, and now have the choice whether to learn or repeat the past. Though we are saved, we still make mistakes. There maybe times we get discouraged because of the same old pitfalls. The good news is we still have victory in Christ, and 1 John 1:9 is still in effect. Our responsibility is our heart attitude, do we truly seek forgiveness or a pass as an out to ease our conscience till the next time. God wants us to truly seek His strength and grace to grow in Him. How are we growing in Him today?

David Fulp II