The Fruit of Repentance

After 52 weeks of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, the Israelites gather within the walls to hear God's Law read and taught. As they are reading the Law of God, they begin to apply it. They wanted to order their lives around God, and they wanted to know God more.

This was not a reeducation program or behavior modification program. If they were to know God, they would have to know His Word. As the light of God's Word exposed their sin, how would they respond?

Our hearts are so masterful at redirecting the focus from our sin and onto the sin of others. These followers of God were unafraid to know God's truth. They had lived without it for too long. Instead of running from the light, they ran to it. 

We may say we believe the whole Bible, but we have our preferences as to what parts we enjoy focusing on. We like the blessings and encouraging parts, but not the convicting and diagnostic parts. It's like going to a class where we enjoy the learning, but not the testing. We want the remedy without the surgery. Make my tooth feel better without making it hurt worse. 

Reading the law, they began to weep. In Nehemiah 9, we are shocked by the stubborn, prideful, disobedience of Israel and God's people, while awestruck by the mercy and grace of a God ready to forgive.