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TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly towards you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses. Nehemiah 1:6b-7

Read: Nehemiah 1:6-7
Listen: Nehemiah 1

TODAY’S MESSAGE

Nehemiah’s prayer turns to confession. He recognizes the desperate situation they’re in is due to their rebellion against God. They worship other gods, mistreat the poor and abandon God’s commands. Nehemiah owns his part. He knows he has contributed to the sins of his people. It’s not just his ancestors 140 years ago who disobeyed God and landed in exile. He cries out to God, confessing his sins and those of his family and people. He asks God to remember his promise to restore them when they turn back to him.

We too need to acknowledge ways we may be part of the problem. Sometimes, things happen to us that we had no part in causing. Yet other times we play a role, even if we think our piece is small. Culture urges us to pass all the blame. We can easily assume a posture of pride and think the fault falls entirely elsewhere. The Bible instead teaches us to humbly invite God to search, test and know us and then reveal any offensive ways in us (Psalms 139:23-24). God, in his love and grace, invites us to confess the ways we have walked away from him. He promises to forgive us when we turn to him and acknowledge our part. God is the one who rebuilds and restores.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

Pray Psalms 139:23-24 to God out loud. Ask God to reveal if you are quick to pass the blame and if there are situations where you need to acknowledge your part and ask for his forgiveness. Ask him to lead you and thank him for his forgiveness.

2023 SPIRITUAL PRACTICES

Join us all of 2023 developing a different spiritual practice each month. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES are intentional regular activities to deepen our relationship with God and mold us to be more like Jesus.

October is SERVING. Keep track of our spiritual practices at beyondtheweekend.org/spiritualpractices.

Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.