I love the Book of Nehemiah.
It’s my favorite book in the Old Testament, if not the entire Bible.
I especially love Nehemiah himself.
He is so bold, so daring, so raw, in everything he does.
He’s even hard core when it comes to confession of sins.
I love how the Message paraphrases his confession to God: “We’ve treated you like dirt: We haven’t done what you told us, haven’t followed your commands, and haven’t respected the decisions you gave.”
So honest. So raw. So transparent. So real.
And so needed from men and women today!
Including me and you.
And I just have to ask you: when was the last time you confessed your sins?
Has it been a while?
If it has (and even it if hasn’t) I want to encourage you to have a conversation with your Heavenly Father right now and be as honest and upfront with Him as possible about where you’re falling short.
Be real. Be transparent. Be honest.
#1 by Dennis - February 5th, 2010 at 03:24
The way to get God’s ear is in open honest confession and repentance. His ear is always open to our prayers yet it is that unconfessed sin that keeps the communication lines closed. The Psalmist said, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” Lord, help me to approach you as Nehemiah did. When I fall short, I don’t want to sugar coat my sin but confess and forsake. Because, “He who covers his sins will not prosper,
but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13)
#2 by Daniel Wheeler - February 5th, 2010 at 14:59
We live in a society that teaches us from the time we are children not to be real.
We are to put our best foot forward, don’t say “ugly” things even if they are true, and never offend anyone.
We grow up in churches where we wear the right clothes to go to church, and never admit our weaknesses.
I committed myself to a lifetime of realness. I am learning that the open confession of my faults and sins leads to life change, not only in my own life, but in the lives of others.
And the other thing about confession…there is no forgiveness or grace without confession.
As for the robes of righteousness and the religeous lifestyle I was steeped in, I am getting further and further away from it.