Confessing, Admitting, Acknowledging! (Nehemiah 1:7)

We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses.

THE STUDY:

          We know that Nehemiah is a servant of a King. The language he uses in this verse gives a sense of a slave to their master. We have acted very corruptly, gives the implication in today’s terminology “they had lost their minds.” We have said it about individuals who have done something unlike themselves, “They have gone nuts!”

          Nehemiah was speaking to God here as to a master he has offended by disregarding his commands. The concept of disobedience goes right to the heart of the matter. God’s commands are not whimsical; he knows what is best for his people and for all society. Nehemiah recognized the seriousness of disobeying God’s ethical demands. Many ethical dilemmas of our day are not easily solved; however, we often make them more difficult by not accepting as relevant ethical commands that are clear in Scripture. In this case “the commands, decrees and laws” refer to the Pentateuch.^[1]

          Look at what Nehemiah says, we have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules. This is the reasoning for the state the people are in. Nehemiah knew that by confessing, admitting, or acknowledging the acts of their disobedience toward God starts the process of rebuilding.

                  

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning with the understanding of the process of reconciling with God. 1) Turn back toward Him, 2) Confess, admit, and and/or acknowledge your sins. It’s that simple!

APPLICATION:

            Max Lucado says, “Confession does for the soul what preparing the

land does for the field. Before the farmer sows the seed he works the acreage, removing the rocks and pulling the stumps. He knows that seed grows better if the land is prepared. Confession is the act of inviting God to walk the acreage of our hearts. ‘There is a rock of greed over here Father, I can’t budge it. And that tree of guilt near the fence? Its roots are long and deep. And may I show you some dry soil, too crusty for seed?’ God’s seed grows better if the soil of the heart is cleared.

Today would be a great time for us to stop and ask ourselves, “Have I confessed, specifically, all my sins?” That rock of greed, that tree of lies? The bible tells us that, “If you confess your sins, He is faithful and just to forgive you of your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness”? (1 John 1:9) I don’t know about you but that sounds wonderful: confession, admission, acknowledging the sins in our lives. Remember, God’s seed grows better if the soil of the heart is cleared.

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Breneman, M. (1993). Vol. 10: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (electronic ed.). The New American Commentary (172). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.