For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
Day 283 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith)
continues with the book of Nehemiah where my commentary* describes how "Ezra, Nehemiah, and the Levites spend long hours reading and interpreting the law. When the people mourn for all the sins they have committed under the law, they are reminded that it is a festival day to be celebrated. And the people soon join in the re-institution of the Festival of Tabernacles, which commemorates the Israelites’ living in tents during the wilderness wanderings. Some three weeks later the law is read again, and the people respond with a great national confession and a written covenant with God."
*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.
The scripture reading for today also includes how the Levites led the people in confession and worship by describing how from Abram through the current day, God led the people, the people turned from God, and how God heard the people's cries of suffering and rescued them...despite their sin.
But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them, even when they cast for themselves an image of a calf and said, ‘This is your god, who brought you up out of Egypt,’ or when they committed awful blasphemies. “Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the wilderness. Nehemiah 9:17-19
From heaven you heard them, and in your great compassion you gave them deliverers, who rescued them from the hand of their enemies. Nehemiah 9:27
And when they cried out to you again, you heard from heaven, and in your compassion you delivered them time after time. Nehemiah 9:28
This story of repeated sin, and God's forgiveness, mercy, and compassion - is the story for all believers.
Ultimately, Jesus paid the price for all sin, for all humanity, for all of time.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are compassionate and merciful and You love me so much that You sent Your Son - Jesus - to die on the cross for me. Thank You Jesus - the greatest gift of all time. I am not deserving of such a gift. I worry and I have other sins. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
