Where You Are

“Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood in their places and confessed their sins…They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God… ‘…praise the LORD your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting’… ‘You alone are the LORD…You give life to everything.’” Nehemiah 9:2-3, 6.

Chapter 9 of Nehemiah reads like a beautiful set of biblical CliffsNotes. This chapter is a corporate prayer lifted to the single God of the universe. The prayer of the people confesses the history of the world from the standpoint of God’s sovereignty and faithfulness. If anyone wishes to read a very brief synopsis of the Bible up to this point, the divine timeline of God’s activity with His chosen people is found in this prayer. This book is anchored by their confession to a God who forgives…confession to a God who is great and mighty…and confession to a God who is faithful to His promises.

The Hebrew word for confess is yada’ which means, ‘to express praise, give thanks, extol, make a public confession, make an admission.’ I had always thought that to confess was to ask God for His forgiveness. Oh, how my prayers and views have changed since reading their beautiful confession to God in this chapter. There is so much more than confessing our sins based on their example. How grateful I am this morning to be able to reverse time and eavesdrop on such a sacred prayer at such a sacred moment.

The most tender words for me this morning was ‘they stood where they were.’ When we realize how our sins have separated us from the fellowship of God, we develop a broken and contrite heart for Him. We stand at a three way stop of conviction, repentance and forgiveness. God comes to us when He sees our remorse and sadness for our actions. Our sins separate us from fellowship but our repentance brings us back into intimacy. True confession as exemplified by the Israelites involves more than just asking for His forgiveness. Confession begins with the proclamation of God’s greatness and goodness followed up with our belief in His love and holiness. God is always pleased to hear from His children who possess a heart for Him.

No matter where you are standing this morning, confess to God with all of your heart through praise, exultation, remembrance and repentance. Recite the many ways your life has been delivered from a Savior who never forgets to rescue. Proclaim your belief in the Creator who is still giving life to things that may seem dead. Admit your sins to a God who is waiting to forgive.

He stands at the intersection awaiting your arrival.