Nehemiah 9:1-38: Confession in View of God’s Mercy

Having heard the Word of God, the people gathered in Jerusalem join in prayer to the LORD. They bless the LORD’s name for His acts of mercy throughout their history. He showed mercy in making a covenant with Abraham. He showed mercy in delivering Israel from Egypt. He showed mercy by providing for their well-being in the wilderness. Even when Israel rebelled against the LORD by worshiping a golden calf, the LORD remained faithful and merciful. He brought them to the Promised Land and sustained them through the time of the judges. He sent prophets to call His people back to Himself. When they did not listen, He sent them into exile, yet even then, He did not make an end of His people. Recognizing the steadfast love and mercy of the LORD throughout their history, the people who have returned from exile now call upon God to show that same mercy to them as they desire to live under His covenant anew. Rev. Ryan Ogrodowicz, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church and School in Brenham, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Nehemiah 9:1-38. "God Brings His People Home” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. After 70 years in exile, the LORD began to fulfill His promise to bring His people back to the Promised Land. In the years that followed, faithful clergy and dedicated laity worked together to rebuild Jerusalem physically and restore the people of God spiritually. Through it all, God was at work to keep His promise of bringing the Savior into the world in the fullness of time.