Thank God For His Grace and Mercies

On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads. Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the sins of their ancestors. They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the LORD their God.  
. . . They cried out with loud voices to the LORD their God.  And the Levites . . . said . . . "Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise.  
. . . You saw the suffering of our ancestors in Egypt; you heard their cry at the Red Sea.  
. . . You divided the sea before them, so that they passed through it on dry ground, but you hurled their pursuers into the depths, like a stone into mighty waters.  
. . . You came down on Mount Sinai; you spoke to them from heaven.  
. . . In their hunger you gave them bread from heaven . . . 
You gave them kingdoms and nations . . . 
But they were disobedient and rebelled against you . . .  They killed your prophets, who had warned them in order to turn them back to you . . . 
For many years you were patient with them.  . . . Yet they paid no attention, so you gave them into the hands of all the neighboring peoples. But in your great mercy, you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.
. . . In all that has happened to us, you have remained righteous; you have acted faithfully, while we acted wickedly.     Nehemiah 9:1-33

The love, patience, mercy, and grace of God are beyond human understanding. The heart of God breaks when He has to bring divine judgment on a people. Typically, as borne out by Scripture, God would warn and wait patiently for people to repent before He unleashes His wrath and judgment. Even in judgment, God is gracious and very merciful.

Read these words carefully: "For many years you were patient with them . . . Yet they paid no attention, so you gave them into the hands of the neighboring peoples. But in your great mercy, you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God. In all that has happened to us, you have remained righteous, you have acted faithfully, while we acted wickedly."

The truth is: you and I are never fully faithful to God. It is important to acknowledge that we constantly act wickedly against God, but God continues to remain righteous and faithful to us. We continually reject His Word and turn our backs on Him. But God continues to show us mercy and grace. He warns endlessly before releasing judgment. Even in judgment, He is ever merciful. Would you take time to confess your sins to the Lord? Would you also take time to thank Him for His bountiful grace and mercies?
Prayer: Father, I thank you for your grace and mercies. Amen