And they took strong cities, and a fat land, and possessed houses full of all goods, wells digged, vineyards, and oliveyards, and fruit trees in abundance: so they did eat, and were filled, and became fat, and delighted themselves in thy great goodness. Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations. Neh 9.25-26
People are inconstant. They pray and ask God for deliverance in time of trial, and forget Him when times are good. That happened to the people of Judah in the time of Nehemiah. But they did what God wanted. After disobedience spanning generations, the people came together and worshiped, read the Word, and prayed about their sin and disobedience. They confessed to their pride and hardness of heart, and remembered the goodness and mercy of God.
We see this same attitude today. People who have plenty rarely obey God with faithfulness and constancy. Instead, they focus on the things of the world and their possessions. But those people who are not distracted by the riches of the world are more mindful of the mercies of God, and go to God with an awareness of unworthiness and a desire for repentance.
The greatness of God is not just in His power, but in His willingness to forgive and to accept His people back. No matter how often we disobey or let Him down, He is ready to welcome us back.
…and many times didst thou deliver them according to thy mercies…
People are inconstant. They pray and ask God for deliverance in time of trial, and forget Him when times are good. That happened to the people of Judah in the time of Nehemiah. But they did what God wanted. After disobedience spanning generations, the people came together and worshiped, read the Word, and prayed about their sin and disobedience. They confessed to their pride and hardness of heart, and remembered the goodness and mercy of God.
We see this same attitude today. People who have plenty rarely obey God with faithfulness and constancy. Instead, they focus on the things of the world and their possessions. But those people who are not distracted by the riches of the world are more mindful of the mercies of God, and go to God with an awareness of unworthiness and a desire for repentance.
The greatness of God is not just in His power, but in His willingness to forgive and to accept His people back. No matter how often we disobey or let Him down, He is ready to welcome us back.
…and many times didst thou deliver them according to thy mercies…
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