Monday Reflection \u2013 January 18, 2021<\/p>\n\n\n
A Heart of Repentance and Worship<\/p>\n\n\n
You alone are the Lord.\u00a0You made the heavens,\u00a0even the highest heavens, and all their starry host,\u00a0the earth\u00a0and all that is on it, the seas\u00a0and all that is in them.\u00a0You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven\u00a0worship you. Nehemiah 9:6(NIV)<\/p>\n\n\n
Nehemiah 9 begins with a most beautiful moment in the life of Israel as the nation gathers in humble repentance. The wall around Jerusalem is completed in record time; the wall is providing security; the people have heard and are obedient to God\u2019s Word; and God is doing a significant work in the lives of His people. Now there is a scene of dramatic, humble repentance. They assemble with fasting, demonstrating their lowly, humble state. They are in sackcloth with dust on their heads to show their complete poverty of spirit before God. They also want to convey that they are so troubled by their sin that food and the normal comforts of life are unimportant. Here we see a sincere reflection of a humble attitude of heart.<\/p>\n\n\n
Those of Israelite lineage separate themselves from all foreigners as they confess the sin of their nation. While the humble demonstration of repentance is important, the inward confession of our sins is critical. We must realize and admit that we miss God\u2019s mark. We sin both by commission and omission. Of these, we must repent, and such repentance grows as we grow closer to Jesus. Charles Spurgeon rightly says that, \u201crepentance is not a thing of days and weeks, a temporary penance to be got over as fast as possible! No, it is the grace of a lifetime, like faith itself. Repentance is the inseparable companion of faith.\u201d As this great, humble gathering of God\u2019s people takes place, they are drawing close to God, and now He is drawing them even closer!<\/p>\n\n\n
The people assemble to hear God\u2019s word and to worship Him. God\u2019s word is read from the Book of the Law and the people confess and worship God. The leaders of the congregation cry out to the Lord. The first part of this cry is about praise to the God of all creation. It is here that we find today\u2019s Watchword. After the encouragement to praise, Ezra gives a reason to praise \u2013 God is god alone; He made the heavens and the earth and all that there is; He is not just creator, but life-giver, for he gives life to everything. Looking at the glory of God\u2019s creation gives us reason to praise Him, to humble ourselves before Him, and to trust Him. God gives us sufficient reason to worship Him; we don\u2019t need to search for any of our own.<\/p>\n\n\n
This great God is already worshipped by the multitudes of heaven; just seeing His glory gives them reason to. How much more should we His creatures worship Him. God creates and sustains unendingly, offers His love unconditionally, and administers his grace and mercy in unlimited measure. We have enough reason to offer to God the best of our praise unreservedly.<\/p>\n\n\n
Jermaine Gibson\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Monday Reflection \u2013 January 18, 2021 A Heart of Repentance and Worship You alone are the Lord.\u00a0You made the heavens,\u00a0even the highest heavens, and all their starry host,\u00a0the earth\u00a0and all that is on it, the seas\u00a0and all that is\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"template":"","watchword_topic":[10],"class_list":["post-453","watchword","type-watchword","status-publish","hentry","watchword_topic-leadership"],"yoast_head":"\n