Nehemiah 9: The Lord is Gracious

Nehemiah 9

The Lord is Gracious

30. "But for many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you warned them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you gave them into the hands of the neighboring peoples. 31. But in your great mercy, you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.

◇ After completing the rebuilding of the wall, Nehemiah gathered the people to worship God. They praised God for His mercy and grace and confessed the foolishness of the Israelites.

From creation, calling Abraham, liberation from Egypt, and trials in the wilderness, to their stiff-necked rebellion against God, they praised God who forgave them despite their rebellions. Although they established a kingdom in Canaan and betrayed God again, He punished them by making them captives in Babylon but once again forgave them. He allowed them to return to their homeland. God is merciful, forgiving those who repent and cry out to Him, and bestowing grace.

The land is never free from war. In Jerusalem, the city of peace, the sound of gunfire never ceases. It is a land and people who have experienced God's forgiveness and grace beyond measure. God has told them not to forget the times when they were strangers and slaves. God is merciful and gracious. He wishes us to be the same.

♧ Lord, stop the gunfire and cries in the land of promise. Let Your mercy and grace overflow. Holy Spirit, lead us in truth! Amen.