The Grace of God Neh 9:31-38

God was good to His people when His people were not good to Him. He sent them prophets to teach them and to warn them, but the nation refused to listen (2 Chron. 36:14-21). He was merciful to forgive them when they cried out for help, and He stood by them as they repeatedly rebelled against His Word. He could have destroyed the nation and started over again but He graciously spared them. In His mercy, God didn't give them what they deserved; and in His grace, He gave them what they didn't deserve. The Levites had acknowledged God's greatness and goodness; and now, on the basis of His grace, they asked Him for a new beginning for the nation. If God had been merciful to Israel in the past, forgiving their sins when they cried out to Him, would He not be merciful to them now? But in this passage the Levities did more then ask God for mercy; they also made a solemn covenant with God to obey His law and do His will. I know I say this all the time but today we to need to hold strong to the commitments we make!!!! When we say where going to do something we need to do it!!! When we say, "God I want to live for you" we need to do that!!!! This might mean a life change riding ourselves of what so easily entangles us and striving to be more like Him. Let our yes be yes and our no's no. Men and women who hold strong to their word!!! By no means is this easy but we weren't called to an easy life. Our God is a glorious God (Neh. 9:5). He is powerful (v.6), faithful (v.8), and concerned about the needs of His people (v.9). He is a pardoning God (vv. 17-19, 31) who stands by us when we sin (vv. 21,30) but who chastises if we rebel (v.26). He is a generous God (vv. 24-25, 35), who gives us far more than we deserve. He is a God who keeps His promises even if we are unfaithful. He deserves our loving obedience!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wherever you are in your journey of faith know your never to fare away from a new beginning. His arms are always held out open willing to embraces his children!!!!

The goodness of God

Looking at these verses you have to ask yourself, How could these people turn their backs on God after all he had done for them? I don't think they truly loved Him. Their obedience was only an outward form; it didn't come from their hearts. In their hearts, they were still living in Egypt and wanting to return there. They did not have a living faith in God but were willing to receive His help and enjoy his gifts. During the forty years of Israel's discipline in the wilderness the old generation died and the new generation was born. But God never forsook His people. He led them by the cloud and fire, taught them the Word, provided them with life's necessities, and gave them victory over their enemies. GOD keeps His promises and Fulfills His purposes. If we obey Him, we share in the blessing; if we disobey Him, we miss the blessing; but God's purposes will be fulfilled and his name glorified. Even today there our many people who are short sighted just like the Israelites. They forgot the glorious purposes that God had in mind for the nation. Had they meditated on God's promises and purposes they would not have wanted to go back To Egypt and mingle with he godless nation around them. Israel was a people who lived beneath heir privileges and failed to accept fully God's will for their lives. Israel delighted themselves in God's great goodness but they did not delight themselves in the Lord. Like the prodigal son they wanted the father's wealth but not the father's will. When Israel obeyed Him, He was faithful to bless; when they disobeyed Him, He was faithful to chastise; when they asked for mercy, He was faithful to forgive. god is willing to give His people many privileges, but he will not give them the privilege of sinning and having their own way. God's purposes are more important than our pleasures, and He will accomplish His purposes even if He has to chastise us to do it. Praise God he is faithful even when we are not!!!!!!!!!

Nehemiah 9:1,6

God is the main subject of this chapter- who He is, what HE does for his people and what His people must do for him. This chapter reveals the history of Israel, the majesty of God and the depravity of man. Aldous Huxley once wrote "That men do not learn very much from the lessons of history is the most important off all the lessons that history has to teach," Philosopher George Santayana wrote, "Those who do not remember the past are condemned to relive it." I think today as Christians we can learn much from the experiences of those before us. If we are willing to humble ourselves and receive the truth. My next several blog entries are going to be about this prayer in chapter nine, your gonna see it reveals the greatness of God (9:1-6), the goodness of God (9:7-30), and the grace of God((9:31-38), so today I would like to look at the greatness of God.

The Feast of Tabernacles had ended, but the people lingered to hear more of the Word of God. Feasting had turned to fasting as the Word brought conviction and people started confessing their sins. This was the beginning of a new life for them and their city. God's greatness is seen in the fact that he receives our worship. True worship involves many elements: hearing the Scriptures, praising God, praying, confessing sin, and separating ourselves from that which displeases God. Each of these elements can be found in these six verses. If you look at verse 2-3 you'll see the worshipers took time to seek the Lord's forgiveness because they new they needed constant cleansing and renewal from the Lord. Whenever you see sin or failures in your life immediately look by faith to Christ and seek his forgiveness; and keep on looking to Him. The more you look at yourself the more discouraged you will become. As christians we need to focus on his perfections not our imperfections. Lastly we see in verse 6 the people finally realized the greatness of God. He had saved them from there enemies and they worshipped Him for being there shield, protector, provider and for being Their Great GOD!!!! In our worship, it's wise to begin with the greatness of God. If we focus too much on what He gives or what we want Him to do, we may find our hearts becoming selfish. Sincere worship honors God in spite of circumstances or feelings or desires. Have you told him today that he alone is a Great God!!!!