Read Nehemiah 9:1-3
Have you ever confessed your sins out loud to another human? Our sins certainly become a lot more “real” when we do that. It’s also a great way to give away the power our sins have over us, simply by speaking them out loud. And we have an accountability partner to keep us from falling into that sin’s trap!
James 5:16 says, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” Nehemiah’s contemporaries are ready to make their confession public. I bet you haven’t ever sprinkled dust on your head or worn a burlap garment because of lament over your sin.
The section of Nehemiah shows us how the people are preparing themselves to live in this broken-down land of plenty. They have already shown an interest in knowing more about what God wants from them. God has already revealed himself plenty to their ancestors, and that should be a good place to start in getting to know God.
The people were convicted to do a better job by seeking what that meant. But it takes a lot more than conviction to stay connected to God. It helps when we can elicit an awe or “fear” of God. Only then does it become a “no-brainer” to pay attention to God’s word and what it says. Only then can we truly experience the joy God bestows on those who believe and follow.
Do you think you could do a better job at being faithful? Maybe you’re clinging to some doubts or questions you have about the Bible. Questions are good because they generally move our faith forward. That’s what happens when we get the answers and everything starts falling into place perfectly.
God’s people should be hungering for his word, now more than ever. In an age when there is so much focus on justice and people’s rights, we need to be mindful of what God wants for us. Are you seeking insight into God’ word to help you navigate? The world may go off on some pretty “off the wall” tangents, so we need to be prepared. Prepared to recognize a tangent when we see it.
This short passage sets up the long sermon-like prayer the leaders shared in the verses that will follow. We’ll focus on that in the next reflection. For now, let this scene resonate with you. Can you feel the earnestness of the people in how they are preparing for their time of confession?
We, too, can approach God. Has made himself accessible to us and is just waiting for us to reach out. Like an old friend who keeps tabs on us, God delights when we finally reconnect. He is so much more than a friend and encourages us to confess our sins to him.
Our prayer time can be the perfect time to do that. Each time you approach the throne of God with your requests and praises, don’t forget your confessions, too. The apostle John gives us one more layer to this when talking about confessing our sins to God in 1 John 1:9, “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” That extra layer is “forgiveness.”
Take some time today to confess your sins before God, and/or another person, and feel the healing cleanse of forgiveness.
Let’s pray. Lord, the world is a scary place right now. But you are a mighty God that has everything under control. Your power is great and will withstand it all. Guard my heart and keep me strongly planted in the wisdom and truth of your word. I confess that I haven’t been the best that I can be lately. Forgive me, Lord. Restore me and prepare me for the work you have placed in front of me. I’m ready, let’s go! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
