Joel M Bradshaw

16“But they and our fathers acted presumptuously and stiffened their neck and did not obey your commandments. 17They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them, but they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them.”–Nehemiah 9

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-9).

1. Ezra the priest was leading a time of national and historical confession.
2. It was a time of owning sins.
3. Part of acknowledging how depraved you are is also acknowledging how holy God is.
4. When is the last time you owned your sin?
5. When is the last time you acknowledged God’s mercy?
6. Ezra made the present also historical.
7. In Christ, God is ready to forgive. Are you ready to confess to God and take your sin seriously?–JMB