Remember Who He Is

Nehemiah 9:1-3 KJV

1 Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them. 2 And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers. 3 And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God.

Here we see how God's Word affects the hearts of those who hear it. They had been deeply affected and grieved by what they heard in God's Word.

They were quite open about their shame. They fasted. They humbled themselves to wear sackcloth and dirt. They separated themselves from those who wouldn't understand. Finally, they confessed, not only their sins, but the sins of their fathers.

They then continued to read and study and when they were convicted of sin, they would confess that sin. They followed the confession with worship to God. They were thankful for His forgiveness and mercy. They were remembering His might, power, and love.

I believe this is a good example to us for when we prepare to hear God's Word. We must humble our hearts to be open to the Holy Spirit's conviction. Then we must confess that sin immediately and praise God for His love, forgiveness, mercy, and grace. We must remember who He is and what He has done for us.