Nehemiah 9:1-37

Inability to conceive this is haunting me. Our church services were extended an extra ten minutes in 2009. That seemed big. Now I am reading that they spent hours confessing their sins and hearing God’s word being read. Not only that, but did you catch in verse one that they “fasted and dressed in burlap and sprinkled dust on their heads…separated themselves and confessed their sins and the sins of their ancestors?” That was a long day. Have you ever confessed your sins and the sins of your ancestors for three hours? Two hours? 30 minutes……not that there would not be enough for me to confess, but ashamedly I say “probably not.” This makes me ponder and want to defend the thought with: we are a fast paced society, we are so busy and I could be diagnosed with ADD. The challenge is there. Take time to confess. In I John 1:9 God also tells us that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” There is something that happens when we take the time to confess. God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness comes to us.

Well, I know there is a lot more to today’s scripture reading than just verses one and two and I hope you read it all. You will see God’s patience in spite of human stubbornness and pride. Blessings, joy, and peace to you my friend. I think I better go and do some confessing.

Your fellow traveler,

Tricia