Nehemiah Day 10: Let's Be Real

Burlap is a trend that has taken over the event/wedding scene the past couple of years, but I can assure you sackcloth was not all the rage during this decade. 

Nevertheless, this is where we find our friends...

Today in chapter 9, we see the neighborhood come together again, uniting once again for a purpose.

"On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads. Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all the foreigners. They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the sins of their ancestors. They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the Lord their God." - 9:1-3

In Day 9 we saw how the Israelites were hungry to hear God's law. They carved out time to unite in understanding His word and His heart towards them. The Israelites had experienced the joy and satisfaction God's truth brought their hearts.

Today, we see this stirring only left them wanting more! 
You see, the Law that had been read to them required a response. The Lord had instructed them to confess sin and return to Him, and He would be their God. They acted in faith by following the guidelines set out for them by the Lord. Sometimes faith is simple, practical obedience. 
Following their roadmap for repentance, they came together and confessed sin of their own, and sin that did not even belong to them! They wanted to set the record completely straight before God, who is pleased by a pure heart.

Their prayer (that is totally worth reading 9:5-37), involved more than confession. They continually acknowledged God for his patience, constant compassion, and infinite power. My prayers should look more like looking at God, than looking at me. See some of their recollections below:

"But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefor you did not desert them,"  - 9:17

"For many years you were patient with them." 9:30

"But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God." 9:31

"In all that has happened to us, you have remained righteous; you have acted faithfully, while we acted wickedly." - 9:33

Our shortcomings always point back to a God who's  FULL-filling. 

What can we take away from these honest prayers?

If we structure our prayers in truth, I have a feeling God is pleased. 

• We can look at Truth in our prayers; He has a face. We can and should acknowledge who God is before and after us, from everlasting to everlasting.

• We can look at Truth in the bible, and see countless measures of His faithful acts and heart. Taking those stories we learn, and reminding and acknowledging God with those in prayer is a great way to start. It gives us a resume of who we are talking to! Also we are given a perfect mirror to see where we stand.

• Next, our prayers should show the truth of who were are. We can confess before God what fills our heart, and how we have messed up. Truth of where it hurts, and where we have hurt. Truth of dreams and hopes, and honest desires, and concerns...If we lay our real, honest hearts bare before God (as he already sees us), and ask for His Truth to change our present state, we can have peace with God through Jesus (Romans 5:1). 

He is our perfect match.  He will guide us in what's next from there.

Precious Lord, You are a faithful and loving God. We lay our hearts bare before you. You know our hidden places, hurts, and hopes. You know the truth we need in You. Draw our hearts to You that we might have a clearer picture of who You are. When we see You, there is not a way we won't be changed! Call us to prayer that pleases You, and changes us. Guide us that we might be obedient from there. We want to know you, Jesus. In your precious name, Amen.

Nehemiah Day 10: Let's Be Real