Wednesday, July 28, 2021

CONFESSION

Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 9

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

Another view of the Wetsern Wall of the Temple Mount (also known as the Wailing Wall). Many Jews come to this special location regularly to pray because it is close to where the Temple once stood which housed the Presence of God.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: Nehemiah 9:2

Then those of Israelite lineage separated themselves from all foreigners; and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.

 

Not only did the people confess their sins (a prerequisite to effective prayer), but they also confessed the history of God’s “amazing grace” through the centuries since Abraham. This is a thorough review of the past. Verse 36 brings the story to the present, “We are Your servants today!” “We are in great distress” (9:37b). Then we read the conclusion for the future: “We make a sure covenant and write it.” A “covenant” is the most solemn and binding agreement possible between two or more parties. In this case, it was a legal document between God and the individual person. It was most important that the “covenant” be witnessed and sealed by leaders, priests and Levites. We may want to conclude our meditation on chapter 9 by reading out loud from Nehemiah 9:5b to 9:38, the end of the chapter. Next, we may want to write our covenant with God and others over the next few days. For those people in Jerusalem, this process took 12 hours. Don’t rush it. You may want to share it with me and others as a comment on this blog at www.100words.ca (just click on the comments bubble at the top, then scroll down to where it says “Leave a Reply”)…and also share it with your leaders in faith. Perhaps this could even be a part of your last will and testament. Be generous with your family members, and then they’ll pay close attention when, by law, the lawyer is required to read it out loud. On second thought, it may be too personal to share it with me. You can leave that out, but I would be very interested to know that readers have taken me up on this suggestion. Believe me, it will be worth the huge effort required.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I confess my sins and trust You for the forgiveness You promised (2 Chronicles 7:14 and 1 John 1:9). I also confess as the people did. It is taking longer today, but You are not in a hurry. I pray that I will slow down and take more time with You. I pray this in the Name of the One who told the story of the Jew who collected taxes for Rome and prayed a short prayer, “God be merciful to me a sinner,” and who, according to Jesus, went to his home justified (made right in God’s sight), Amen! Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I confess that I’ve gone well over my goal of 100 words. Please forgive me, and I’m sorry to report that I’ll probably do it again. I’m so full of God’s Word!

From time to time I have written out a statement, put it in my top centre drawer in my desk, opened the drawer first thing each day, and read the statement. It was a very effective way to focus myself on those things that are really important! That statement was not what I want put in my will, but a sentence, using as few words as possible, to describe my commitment to God and to others. For example, when the Crossroads Ministry had a big financial need, I would write something like this: “I am absolutely sure that God will meet the needs of the ministry, providing sufficient funds to pay every bill!” What about that! The ministry is still moving forward after 55 years. Thank You, Lord!

Yours for spending whatever time is necessary on putting first things first, and as someone has said, “Keep the main thing the main thing!”

David

8 thoughts on “Wednesday, July 28, 2021

  1. Wow! Such powerful scripture to start the day. Melting in it and ever grateful for God being the center of our existence and purpose for living. His blessings upon you, fellow saints in the Lord.

    Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise. Jeremiah 17:14 ESV

    Worship You Forever [Lyric Video]
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glqQLc-zqP4

    • Thank you Beverlee and others for theirs prayers. God bless all,I am still very sore but to get around.
      Eleanor M.
      Ps was thinking about Rob as well .

    • May God bless you Beverlee for your prayers
      and sharing that beautiful worship song.
      Just what I needed to hear today, thanks.
      Praying for each one mentioned on this blog
      that God would supply all their needs, in
      Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

  2. Today’s scripture shows a cycle of ups and downs and we are in another downward falling away cycle that may only end (for true believers) when Jesus rescues us,while the rest have no one to guide them or oppose the enemy…and when the enemy is unchained…..
    God,like any loving parent,continues to forgive us.We must strive to turn back the tide of liberalism by speaking out against what is plainly evil or just a very bad idea.May God bless all who read this blog
    Psalm 51:3-5
    New King James Version

    3 For I acknowledge my transgressions,
    And my sin is always before me.
    4 Against You, You only, have I sinned,
    And done this evil in Your sight—
    That You may be found just [a]when You speak,
    And blameless when You judge.
    5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
    And in sin my mother conceived me.

    Show Them

    Show them mercy,that they can repent,
    Show them understanding for all are with sin,
    Show them My love that is heaven sent
    Show them the path to walk within.

    Show them kindness so that they can learn,
    Show them you are a light that I made to burn
    Show them My grace that no one must earn
    Show them truth that they may then turn.

    Show them your faith then I will give more,
    Show them they must get up after every fall,
    Show them to search out what they look for,
    Show them that I help one and all.

    When you show them the light to walk in,
    Then you are blessing Me with all of your love
    And your light fishes for souls to win,
    While sharing My light from above.
    G W Marshall / January 09, 2014

  3. Amen and amen to the comments of today thank you Beverly k for today’s songs and the songs that you post are always very timely and inspirational also to William your poems as well are timely and inspirational I just pray for all bloggers who share their comments on a daily basis I pray for God’s blessing upon all of you amen 🙏✝️

    • Amen Marilyn and blessings on you and all bloggers today. Praying also for Ruth Graham’s son who is in hospital with severe COVID-19. May he recover completely, in Jesus Name. Amen

      • Billy and Ruth Graham’s grandson–Anne Graham Lotz’s son– Jonathan Lotz is in hospital with covid, Doreen. Agreeing with your prayer for his full recovery and healing, in Jesus’ Name. Amen. ✝️ 🙏

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